User:Dohanminhtho/Acid rain

Ellie Do

Lead

Acid rain is rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning that it has elevated levels of hydrogen ions (low pH). The neutral pH of most water, including drinking water, is between 6.5 and 8.5; acid rain, on the other hand, typically has a pH between 4-5. It has been demonstrated that acid rain adversely impacts freshwater ecosystems, soils, microbes, insects, and aquatic life forms.The human health impacts of acid rain, particularly through exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur trioxide (SO3), are multifaceted and encompass respiratory issues and other health concerns. Nitrogen dioxide exposures can lead to respiratory problems such as pneumonia and reduced immunity, while SO3 exposure may cause breathing difficulties, skin irritation, and gastrointestinal issues. Federal government regulations are provided to protect people health.

Human Health Impacts

Acid rain can negatively impact human health, especially when people breathe in particles released from acid rain. The effects of acid rain on human health are complex and may be seen in several ways, such as respiratory issues for long-term exposure and indirect exposure through contaminated food and water sources.

Nitrogen Dioxide Effects

Exposure to air pollutants associated with acid rain, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), may have a negative impact on respiratory health. Water-soluble nitrogen dioxide accumulates in the tiny airways, where it is transformed into nitric and nitrous acids. Pneumonia caused by nitric acids directly damages the epithelial cells lining the airways, resulting in pulmonary edema. Exposure to nitrogen dioxide also reduces the immune response by inhibiting the generation of inflammatory cytokines by alveolar macrophages in response to bacterial infection. In animal studies, the pollutant further reduces respiratory immunity by decreasing mucociliary clearance in the lower respiratory tract, which results in a reduced ability to remove respiratory infections.

Sulfur Trioxide Effects

The effects of sulfur trioxide and sulfuric acid are similar because they both produce sulfuric acid when they come into touch with the wet surfaces of your skin or respiratory system. The amount of SO3 breath through the mouth is larger than the amount of SO3 breath through the nose . When humans breathe in sulfur trioxide, small droplets of sulfuric acid will form inside the body and enter the respiratory tract to the lungs depending on the particle size. The effects of SO3 on the respiratory system lead to breathing difficulty in people who have asthma symptoms. Sulfur trioxide also causes very corrosive and irritation on the skin, eye, and gastrointestinal tracts when there is direct exposure to a specific concentration or long-term exposure. Consuming concentrated sulfuric acid has been known to cause mortality, burn the mouth and throat, erode a hole in the stomach, burns skin when it comes into contact with skin, and make your eyes weep if it gets into them.

Federal Government's recommendation

Nitrogen Dioxides

A 25 parts per million (ppm) maximum for nitric oxide in working air has been set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for an 8-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek. Additionally, OSHA has established a 5-ppm nitrogen dioxide exposure limit for 15 minutes in the workplace.

Sulfur Trioxide

The not-to-exceed limits in the air, water, soil, or food that are recommended by regulations are often based on levels that affect animals before being modified to assist in safeguarding people. Depending on whether they employ different animal studies, have different exposure lengths (e.g., an 8-hour workday versus a 24-hour day), or for other reasons, these not-to-exceed values can vary between federal bodies.

The amount of sulfur dioxide that can be emitted into the atmosphere is capped by the EPA. This reduces the quantity of sulfur dioxide in the air that turns into sulfur trioxide and sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid concentrations in workroom air are restricted by OSHA to 1 mg/m³. Moreover, NIOSH advises a time-weighted average limit of 1 mg/m³.

When you are aware of NO2 and SO3 exposure, you should talk to your doctor and ask people who are around you, especially children.