Measuring Acid Rain

The acidity of acid rain is measured using the pH scale. It ranges from 1 to 14.

Substances like vinegar and lemon juice are acidic, and have a low pH. Distilled water is neutral with a pH of 7. Substances like blood and milk are alkaline and have a high pH.

All rain is slightly acidic as it contains carbon dioxide, a gas found in air. Unpolluted rain usually has a pH of between 5 and 6. Acid rain has been found to have a pH as low as 3 and in some cases even lower.

Acid Rain

Print Topic

  Technical Page

Websites
• Environment Canada
• US EPA
• Acid Rain

Other topics
• Introduction
• Buildings
• Cars
• Chimneys
• Doing Our Bit
• Freshwater
• Impacts
• Industry & Power
• Measuring
• Trees
• Wildlife

Home