AP Environmental Science

Last year, acid rain affected the food safety in China. This acid rain was caused by sulphur dioxide from factories and power plants. Over 50% of the 696 cities and countries that were monitored had acid rain, according to a report from the standing committee of parliament. One third of China’s land was affected by the sulphur dioxide, according to Sheng Huaren, the NPC standing committee cice chairman. China is the world’s leader in contributing sulphur dioxide into the air. Their numbers rose 27% from 2000 to 2005, making the amount emitted to 25 million tons. The amount of sulphur dioxide released into the atmosphere by China were double the acceptable limit according to Sheng. The excessive sulphur dioxide amounts are mostly contributed to coal-burning power stations and coking plants. In Shanxi, China’s main coal-burning province, 650 out of 680 coking plants emitted too much sulphur dioxide.

Air pollution is also on a rise affecting 40% of Chinese cities. This air pollution can be mostly attributed to sulphur dioxide and particulate matter. With the 2008 Olympics coming up soon in Beijing, China has agreed to get rid of the smog filled skies and replace them with clear skies.

In my opinion, it is a shame that China’s food is being jeopardized by sulpher dioxide, something that they have the power to control. I would be nervous if I was a farmer that my crops and animals would be affected by the acid rain and would die, thus leaving me with no money. Other countries should be concerned as well because the acid rain could travel and ruin their lands.

<a href=”http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=A9E18CB5DD9D3AB420946FA19EBBBF52&ref=sciam&chanID=sa012″>Scientific American: Acid rain affects large swathes of China: report</a>