Acid Rain

Sulphur oxides attach to carbon particles, causing acid rain great distances away - usually downwind. Coal is burnt in power stations, creating carbon particles and sulphur dioxide. Add a damp climate and 'UK Ltd' produces particles of sulphuric acid. This is carried on the prevailing winds (mainly westward) to Europe.

It is suspected that air pollution causes moderate or severe damage to almost 15% of the total timber in 17 European countries.

Acid rain raises tensions between those nation states who used to accuse the UK of being the "Dirty Man of Europe".

However, the UK is not to blame for it all. Plankton produces some too.

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VOCs and Ozone

We may want ozone way up above the atmosphere, but we do not want it near us.

Ozone is an odourless gas formed in sunlight when nitrogen oxides - usually from cars, mix with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) - usually solvents.

Ozone at Groundlevel

People with asthma or respiratory disease may suffer in the summertime because of this ozone. Long-term effects may damage our immune systems.

Find out about Solvent Emissions Directive @ http://www.esig.org/