Melanie Lekocevic is reporting for Capital Region Independent Media that a state analysis of the gritty dusting found in the Magnolia Circle area of the village of Ravena concludes that the substance was salt, according to a determination released December 6, by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Resident complaints started coming in to the DEC on November 5. The substance was found in the community, coating homes and vehicles, around Octotber 31, according to a letter from DEC Regional Director Anthony Luisi. “DEC staff determined that the sample consisted of salt,” Luisi said. The source of the dusting remains unknown. “Our investigation into potential sources is ongoing,” according to a letter from Luisi to Mayor Bill Misuraca. The mayor said on social media that if any more of the dust is found, residents should submit their information to Regional Air Pollution Control Engineer Benjamin Potter via email at Benjamin [dot] Potter [at] dec [dot] ny [dot] gov or by phone at 518-357-2345. The DEC will send a professional to the site to collect a sample. The substance was found by numerous residents and is said to be difficult to wash off. Deputy Mayor Nancy Warner said last month, “People have said it sticks right to the paint on their cars and trucks and it can’t be washed off easily, if at all. People said they have turned on their windshield washers and it just smears.” The Lafarge cement plant released a statement regarding the material in November. “We are aware of the complaints regarding fugitive dust on private property in the Ravena area, and we have been in ongoing discussions with the state Department of Environmental Conservation about this matter,” LaFarge said in a statement. The DEC’s investigation into the origin of the salt dusting is ongoing. Read more in The Ravena News-Herald.