Sulfur dioxide, acid rain and nitrogen oxides

What is released when burning fossil fuels?

Carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and various nitrogen oxides.

Where does the sulfur dioxide come from?

Sulfur dioxide comes from sulfur impurities present in fossil fuels

What causes acid rain?

When sulfur dioxide mixes with the water in the clouds, it reacts with water form dilute sulfuric acid. This then falls as acid rain.

How does acid rain damage the environment? How does acid rain affect different materials and humans?

Acid rain causes lakes to become acidic and many plants and animals die as a result. Acid rain also kills trees, damages limestone buildings and ruins some stone statues. It can also make metals corrode. Links between acid rain and human helath problems have also been suggested.

How are nitrogen oxides formed generally?

In the high temperatures reached inside combustion engines of cars, the nitrogen and oxygen in the air can react to form nitrogen oxides.

What makes nitrogen oxides harmful pollutants?

Nitrogen oxides can contribute to acid rain, and, at ground level, can cause photochemical smog.

What is photochemical smog and what does it cause?

Photochemical smog is a type of air pollution that can cause breathing difficulties, headaches and tiredness.

Where does photochemical smog most often form?

In large cities, where there is a lot of traffic