Acid Rain: Report number 14 PDF

Foreword

What is loosely described as 'acid rain' is not a new phenomenon. The burning of coal and other fossil fuels must have always resulted in the production of sulphur dioxide, and, where the combustion temperatures are high, of oxides of nitrogen. These may be present in various stages of oxidation and are often referred to as simply SOx and NOx. The Clean Air Act 1956 with its limitations on the burning of raw coal in urban areas has virtually eliminated 'smog' in British cities but has not directly reduced the SOx emissions.

Author: Watt Committee on Energy Publications