by: LW

Acid Rain

Acid rain has become a problem all around the world, especially in place where people use a lot of electricity. The Power plants that produce the electricity that most of us use every day are the major cause of acid rain.

Acid Rain Can Cause Health Problems in People Air pollution like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides can cause respiratory diseases, or can make these diseases worse. Respiratory diseases like asthma or chronic bronchitis make it hard for people to breathe. The pollution that causes acid rain can also create tiny particles. When these particles get into people's lungs, they can cause health problems, or can make existing health problems worse.

Acid Rain Harms Forests

Acid rain can be extremely harmful to forests. Acid rain that seeps into the ground can dissolve nutrients, such as magnesium and calcium, that trees need to be healthy. Acid rain also causes aluminum to be released into the soil, which makes it difficult for trees to take up water. Trees that are located in mountainous regions at higher elevations, such as spruce or fir trees, are at greater risk because they are exposed to acidic clouds and fog, which contain greater amounts of acid than rain or snow. The acidic clouds and fog strip important nutrients from their leaves and needles. This loss of nutrients makes it easier for infections, insects, and cold weather to damage trees and forests.

Take action as individuals

It may seem like there is not much that one individual can do to stop acid deposition. However, like many environmental problems, acid deposition is caused by the cumulative actions of millions of individual people. Therefore, each individual can also reduce their contribution to the problem and become part of the solution. For example, you can:

• ~Turn off lights, computers, and other appliances when you're not using them.
• ~Use energy-efficient appliances: lighting, air conditioners, heaters, refrigerators, washing machines
• ~Only use electric appliances when you need them.
• ~Carpool, use public transportation, or better yet, walk or bicycle whenever possible
• ~vehicles with low NOx emissions, and properly maintain your vehicle.

Be well informed.