Problem Statement

When this "rain" seeps into water sources it makes them toxic to aquatic animals living in it and makes those animals, such as clams and fish, toxic to people eating them. Fish die in water that has a pH of less than 5. Water with low pH also causes gill damage in fish and kills fish embryos, meaning that fish are unable to reproduce and once they all die, they are permanently gone. Reproductive failure is actually the primary way acid rain causes animal extinction in aquatic systems. Non-aquatic animals are affected as well. For example, birds are affected. When trees and plants suck up this toxic water and bear fruit that the bird will eat, the fruit is containing acid and will harm the bird. Or, if the acid is strong enough, it could kill the tree or plant altogether, leaving the animals who rely on those leaves or berries to go hungry.

The pollution that causes acid rain has tiny particles in it that are all around us. When these particles get into our lungs, they can cause some serious health problems, or even make current health problems worse, such as bronchitis or asthma. It causes respiratory problems, such as pneumonia, and can even cause permanent lung damage. Acid rain also causes the deterioration of water pipes, which results in the leaching of heavy metals such as copper, lead, and iron into drinking water.