Acid rain Acid rain is a term for rain, snow, sleet, or other wet precipitation that is polluted by such acids as sulfuric acid and nitric acid.
Acid rain harms thousands of lakes, rivers, and streams worldwide, killing fish and other wildlife.
It also damages buildings, bridges, and statues. High concentrations of acid rain can harm forests and soil. Acid rain forms when water vapor in the air reacts with certain chemical compounds. These compounds, including sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, come largely from the burning of coal, gasoline, and oil. Most automobiles, factories, and power plants burn such fuels for energy.