In my last post, I introduced Rachel Carson, a significant woman who worked all her life to bring a awareness to the public regarding DDT exposure and other toxins and the impact on the environment. Continuing with this theme of environmental awareness, I would like to help bring attention to another prolific problem we and the environment are facing. In actuality, it is a problem that has been growing since the increase in the release of fossil fuel byproducts. The problem that I speak of is acid rain.

      Acid rain is made up of what the name implies, sulfuric acid and nitric acid mixed with rain or atmospheric water. The formation of acid rain originates with the release of the air pollutants sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from man-made sources and natural sources. Chiefly, man-made sources like power plants, and auto mobiles that release combustibles are the culprit. These gases reek havoc by both landing on surrounding environment and are carried by the wind thus affecting a wider range. Acid rain affect the environment in numerous ways. It changes the pH of aquatic environments thereby creating a uninhabitable environment for sensitive aquatic animals. For non-aquatic animal who depend on those aquatic animals for a food source, they are also impacted. Acid rain leaches the soil of essential plant nutrients, causes physical damage to leaves, and reduces plant fertility. In addition, the gases that creates acid rain harms the health of the public by increasing the incidence heart and long conditions like asthma and brochiolitis/bronchtis.  Physical damage to the environment that occurs as a result of acid rain exposure is corrosion of metals, paint damage to buildings and cars, bridges, and decay of cultural monuments. The above picture is actually an informational poster that I noticed while getting my car washed this weekend. It states the effects of acid rain on cars with out protective paint and illustrates how to protect your vehicle from damage.

     In preventing further damage due to acid rain exposure, the EPA has implemented program like the Acid Rain Program and the National Ambient Air Quality Standards to ensure safer environments for both the public and the environment. Safer emission sanctions have also helped to reduce the emissions of air pollutants from vehicles and power plants. Some individualized efforts in which one can do to help reduce emission of air pollutants include carpooling, using alternative and "green" modes of transportation, and maintaining your vehicle.

    I have created a brochure and fact sheet summarizing information on acid rain to inform the public on this current environmental issue. Coming soon.......!