Waves of white foam blanketed Marina Beach in Chennai, India over the weekend, attracting many local people, especially children, to play with the clouds of foam on the beach. /VCG Photo

However, the white foam was reportedly toxic as it gave off an acrid smell. The toxic foam was reportedly caused by pollutants in sewage mixing with sea water and frothed up by waves. /VCG Photo

Pravakar Mishra, a scientist at the local National Center for Coastal Research, said it's not safe for people to go into the foam but many didn't realize the risks. /VCG Photo

Local doctors have warned that skin problems could be caused by the foam. One local pollution control official said that authorities hoped that the pollutants in the water would subside "within a day or two," reported BBC. /VCG Photo