Acid Precipitation

(Page 6 of 6)

January/February 1982
 
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If we continue to pour sulfur and nitrogen oxides into our atmosphere at the present rate, we face an ecological crisis, a significant risk to human health, and an economic loss that could be staggering. Unfortunately, such emissions are likely to increase through the year 2,000. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, sulfur emissions can be expected to rise by 10% to 20% in the next 20 years, and those of nitrogen oxides by at least 50%. The steps taken by Congress to modify the Clean Air Act in late 1981 or early 1982 will be the single most important influence on such developments.

RELATED CONTENT

Though there are no regulations today that deal directly with acid precipitation, there are methods of control available. By using stack scrubbers, low-sulfur coal, washed coal, and new technologies such as fluidized bed furnaces (see MOTHER N0.65, page 182, for an article on a home scale version of such a device), sulfur emissions could be cut by as much as 80%. The cost of doing so would be substantial, but might not be as high as utilities and our current government would have us think, and the expense involved in ignoring acid rain could prove to be much larger in the long run. However, the burning question is ... can we put a price tag on protecting our planet's ability to support life?

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you're concerned about acid rain, write to your representatives and senators (care of The Capitol, Washington, D.C. 20510).

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