Study finds acid rain's a reality

Hindustan Times , Monday, August 06, 2007
Correspondent : Yogesh Joshi
When it rains in Pune and Nagpur, the raindrops may not taste unusual. But weathermen who recently studied the composition of rainwater from 10 cities are worried that it’s raining ‘acid rain’ caused by vehicular, industrial pollution and frenetic urbanisation.

"In Pune and Nagpur, the amount of acid in rainwater has gone up five times since 1995," said VK Soni, a senior meteorologist with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) who conducted the study with colleague Jayant Sarkar, former director of the IMD’s air pollution unit. The researchers also collaborated with the World Meteorological Organisation.

"Drinking acidic rainwater directly or consuming vegetables grown on water containing acidic or metallic elements can cause Alzheimer’s."Samples of rainwater from this year’s first showers and last year's monsoon from Pune, Nagpur, Vishakhapatnam, Srinagar, Allahabad, Jodhpur, Kodaikanal, Minicoy (Lakshadweep) Mohanbari and Port Blair were tested at the IMD, Pune. The results indicated high amounts of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide — major contents of acid rain — emitted into the atmosphere from vehicles, coal-fired power plants and industries.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website says pollutants in acid rain interact in the atmosphere to form fine sulphate and nitrate particles that can be ‘transported long distances by winds and inhaled deep into people’s lungs. Fine particles can also penetrate indoors.’

 
SOURCE : Hindustan Times, Monday 6 August 2007
 


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