as harmful as smoking.
The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, where 0 signifies a highly acidic state and 14 indicates an alkaline state. Typical rain has a pH of 5.6. In contrast, acid rain commonly falls within the range of 4.2 to 4.4. Precipitation that contains more acidity than normal is generally categorized as acid rain.
Acid rain was once a terrifying issue as communities observed it ravage forests and eradicate fish populations. Additionally, it poses a negative threat to human health, particularly by leading to lung issues such as pulmonary edema. The amendments to the Clean Air Act in 1990 succeeded in diminishing pollutants responsible for acid rain — pollutants produced by power plants, industrial facilities, and transportation. However, the challenge is not fully resolved, and health risks persist.
