Acid Rain and Air Pollution

Air pollution  The addition of harmful chemicals to the atmosphere. The most serious air pollution results from the burning of fossil fuels, especially in internal-combustion engines.

Air Pollution in the UK  Recognized problem as far back as the 13th century with the use of coal (London)  Smog pollution during Industrial Revolution became a significant problem  Today, both urban and rural smog pollution results from the build up of secondary photochemical pollutants  Air quality has improved during the last 100 years  Legislative controls and the introduction of further low emission technology will help to reduce air pollution in the UK in the future.

Hudson-Smith, A. (2006). London air pollution in 3d [Web]. Retrieved from

Source: Baldwin, M. (Photographer). Asthma Cartoon 3 [Web Drawing]. Retrieved from

Acid Rain  Rain containing high amounts of chemical pollutants. 1a.jpg&w=400&h=518&ei=72xHUZqyCY6brQHoxoGwDw&zoom=1&sa=X&ved=0CGgQrQMwCA&iact=hc&vpx=364&vpy=224&dur=78&hovh=256&hovw=197&tx=126&ty=156&page=1&tbnh=144&tbnw=109&start=0&ndsp=20

Acid Rain in Europe

This is an area of the Black Forest in Germany where there was significant tree-die-off from acid rain.

Branches from a tree in Germany's Black Forest show needle loss and yellowed boughs caused by acid rain.

Bavaria, Germany, high-altitude forest damaged by acid rain. Photo by Spitzbergler.