In the small rural town of Times Beach in central Missouri, USA, oil was sprayed on unpaved roads for several years starting in 1971 to reduce dust. However, after this practice, strange occurrences began in the town. Birds fell from the sky, and cats and dogs died. Residents experienced unexplained pain, developed lung cancer, and some pregnant women suffered miscarriages. Additionally, many residents developed diseases in the liver, kidneys, or larynx, or even cancer. The oil spraying to control dust was not limited to roads—it also took place in ranches where horses were raised and trained.