Forgotten in the U.S., acid rain is still a problem for some of the world

Acid deposition, also known as acid rain, has received diminished attention in recent years as new laws have reduced its severity and climate change has become a more prominent environmental concern. 

Acid deposition is the precipitation of acidic compounds that fall to Earth’s surface in the form of rain, snow, fog, hail, or dust. It is caused by both anthropogenic activity and natural phenomena. 

Although the problem has become less severe in the United States and Europe, acid rain continues to pose a threat, particularly in Asian countries that engage in large-scale manufacturing. This problem needs to be addressed on a global scale as countries like the U.S. that do not face the repercussions of acid rain drive the manufacturing industry that is responsible for these environmental problems.

Using the pH scale, we can measure how acidic precipitation is to determine whether it falls under the category of acid rain. Normal rainwater today is generally a pH of 5.6, which is acidic because carbon dioxide can form a weaker acid called carbonic acid, but it is not acidic enough to be harmful. 

For precipitation to qualify as acid rain, it must have a pH of 4.3 or below, containing acidic compounds that differentiate it from typical rainwater. While naturally-occurring acid rain is often a consequence of volcanoes, lightning, and wildfires, the combustion of fossil fuels releases sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides that can react with water to create acids. Given the ongoing industrialization of many countries, the incidence of acid rain has increased in some regions. 

Despite the disconcerting name, acid rain is not acidic enough to cause any direct external damage like burning skin. However, acid rain can damage respiratory systems through the pollution that accompanies acid deposition. The presence of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides cause respiratory diseases, cancer, and smog. 

It can also affect agriculture, biodiversity, and many ecosystems. For example, the added nitrogen oxides in bodies of water cause an overgrowth of algae and other plants, which decompose and deplete oxygen in the water, a major issue as decomposition requires oxygen to function efficiently. 

Bodies of water that flow into other areas can spread this acidity to the ground, which can harm more plants and wildlife. The acidity reduces the amount of nutrients found in the soil, which is vital to the health and growth of a plant. Acid rain can also leach aluminum from soil, which is harmful to plants. 

While the name suggests that acid rain falls in the form of liquid, it can also fall as snow, fog, hail, or even as dry matter. In dryer regions that lack moisture, there might be dry deposition where acidic particles and gases will be deposited. These particles can form even larger particles that can also harm our respiratory systems, which is why we see people wearing masks in Asian countries — where pollution is prominent.

Acid rain was a larger issue in the United States and Europe several decades ago. However, because of regulations and laws like the Clean Air Act of 1970 and its amendments in the 1990s, the severity of the situation has decreased. The Clean Air Act was a key mechanism to reduce emissions, mitigating the cause of acid rain. 

In 1971, the Canada-United States Air Quality agreement put regulated caps on the amount of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides released into the atmosphere. 

Following these environmental reforms, there was ten times less acidity present than what was seen in the 1970s. Despite this notable success, I think that the problem was solved more easily because the issue was fueled by our own country and neighboring nations. 

China, on the other hand, manufactures many goods for other nations, and is left with environmental problems like acid rain while the rest of the world benefits from their work without having to worry about the costs. 

China wants countries that create the demand for the products they manufacture to take some of the responsibility for the pollution caused. Further, although pollution is happening across the globe, pollutants can travel across the ocean to the U.S. in smaller amounts. Global weather patterns are the reason why pollution is able to spread from China to the West Coast of the United States. The Westerlies are winds that blow from the West to the East and are responsible for carrying pollutants from Asia to the West Coast of the United States, affecting states like California. 

Air pollution has caused over a million deaths per year in China, which took a large toll on its economy. China lost money because its agricultural industry suffered from pollutants. Since then, it has implemented the Air Pollution Action Plan and other policies, which reduced particulate matter and other pollutants. 

There is some responsibility that needs to be taken from other parts of the world since we all are benefiting from the goods and thus the pollution that is created is partly our fault. I think that one way that this issue can be solved is through regulations or agreements that can be implemented between companies and manufacturers in Asia that help prevent further pollution from occurring. 

Companies might be required to help manufacturers implement cleaner energy after a certain amount of time or adhere to caps on the emissions factories produce. Additionally, China has been implementing green energies into their infrastructure, decreasing the amount of overall pollution. 

Ultimately, since the 1970s, acid rain has become a much less concerning problem and if we continue to push for cleaner sources of energy, this and other environmental issues can be solved.

~ Ryan Mark `25