Acid rain is a mixture of wet and dry deposited material containing

higher than normal amounts of nitrous oxides (NO) and sulfur dioxides
(SO2). These chemicals derive from both natural sources (volcanoes
and decaying vegetation) and man-made sources (fossil fuel, coal, oil
and natural gas combustion). Acid rain happens when these gases
react in the atmosphere with water, oxygen and other chemicals
forming sulfuric and nitric acids. The chemicals are blown around in
the atmosphere and fall to ground in rain, snow, fog or mist (wet
deposition) and dust or smoke (dry deposition).

Acid rain causes acidification of lakes and streams and contributes to the damage of trees at
high elevations (for example, red spruce trees above 2,000 feet) and many sensitive forest
soils. In addition, acid rain accelerates the decay of building materials and paints, including
irreplaceable buildings, statues, and sculptures that are part of our nation's cultural heritage.
The sulfates and nitrates in the atmosphere also cause a lot of visibility problems like smog.
They also contribute to health problems for people with lung conditions, such as asthma and
emphysema.

Acid rain causes lakes and streams to become too acidic. It adds to the damage of trees at
high elevations and many sensitive forest soils. Acid rain also speeds up the decay of building
materials and paints, including but not limited to centuries old buildings, statues and
sculptures. Before falling to the earth, SO2 and NO cause a lot of visibility problems like smog.
They also contribute to health problems for people with lung conditions, such as asthma and
emphysema.

Energy technologies that cause air pollution can be replaced by technologies that do not
involve combustion, such as solar power, wind power, or nuclear power.
Pollution from combustion can be reduced by energy-conservation measures, such as
extracting more energy from fuels and thereby burning less of them.
Potentially harmful substances can be removed from furl before burning; for example, most
sulfur can be removed from coal.
Pollutants can be removed after combustion.