Accession Number:
ADA106925
Title:
The Debate over Acid Precipitation--Opposing Views--Status of Research.
Descriptive Note:
Corporate Author:
GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE WASHINGTON DC ENERGY AND MINERALS DIV
Personal Author(s):
Report Date:
1981-09-11
Pagination or Media Count:
54.0
Abstract:
The use of coal as a substitute for imported oil is raising concern over the possible impact of acid precipitation on the environment and human health. Precipitation can become acidified when sulfur and nitrogen oxides emitted by fossil-fueled powerplants, vehicles, and other man-made or natural sources are chemically changed in the atmosphere and return to earth as acid compounds. Environmental organizations and some agencies and interest groups contend that more stringent emission controls are needed immediately. On the other hand, some agencies and many industries, particularly in the coal and utility sectors, argue that much more research is needed to determine if achievable emissions reductions could significantly diminish the extent of acid precipitation, and if the benefits of such regulations would be worth their potentially high cost.
Descriptors:
- *ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATION
- *ACIDS
- *EXHAUST GASES
- DECISION MAKING
- COST EFFECTIVENESS
- ECONOMIC IMPACT
- AIR POLLUTION
- ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
- RAIN
- SNOW
- VEHICLES
- INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
- NITROGEN OXIDES
- PUBLIC UTILITIES
- REGULATIONS
- LAKES
- EMISSION CONTROL
- ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
- COAL
- SULFUR COMPOUNDS
- COMBUSTION PRODUCTS
Subject Categories:
- Meteorology
- Administration and Management
- Air Pollution and Control