THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF ACID RAIN What is acid rain? Normal rainwater has a pH level of 5.6 or less.

Acid rain is rainwater that has a pH level that is lower than 5.6. Acid rain is caused by two sources of air pollution: man-made and natural. Man-made pollution comes from industries, transportation and utilities burning fuel, from opening burning, and from smoking. Natural sources of pollution include forest fires, volcanic eruptions and even methane emissions from cattle. All these produce sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen. They react with moisture in the atmosphere to form nitric acid and sulphuric acid. Thus, when it rains, the rain will be acidic. A major effect of acid rain is that it can damage buildings and physical structures like bridges and monuments. Many beautiful old statues and churches in Europe have been corroded by acid rain. Even railway tracks and water pipes have been damaged. When acid rain falls on fields and forests, the plants and animals become unhealthy. When it falls in lakes, rivers and other bodies of water, it changes the pH level of the water. This affects the flora and fauna of the water bodies. Some water plants and animals die, while others become unhealthy. For example, the eggs and young of many fish cannot tolerate acidity levels too far off from pH7, which is the neutral point. What is the final effect of acid rain? Acid rain makes plants and animals unhealthy. When they are consumed by humans a domino effect has occurred. In areas with much acid rain, there have been increased occurrences of brain damage, kidney problems and other health risks associated with eating contaminated food. It is very difficult to catch the culprits who cause the air pollution which results in acid rain. However, we all have a responsibility to do whatever we can to reduce it. Each of us can, for example, stop smoking or stop burning waste. We can walk, car pool or use public transport more often. We can conserve water and electricity, and we can support groups that care about the environment. Let us act before the rain that falls burns a hole in our clothes!

NARRATIVE ESSAY An Accident On 12 March, I was driving from Johor Bahru to Butterworth. It was about seven oclock in the morning when I came to the crossroads near Taman Tasik. Just then, the lights changed to green and I moved forward. I was halfway across the junction to go straight ahead when I saw abus coming from my right. The driver did not stop at the traffic lights but continued driving towards me. The bus was swerving dangerously from side to side. I realized that the bus was out of control. Before I could drive out of its path, it crashed into the side of my lorry. There was utter chaos. I could hear people crying and screaming. Except for some cuts on my face and hands, I was not seriously injured. But I was too shocked to move. Within minutes, a small group of people had gathered at the scene of the accident. A young boy asked me if I was all right and helped me to get down from the lorry. He told me that the bus drivers leg might be sprained or broken. Some of the passengers were injured, but their injuries did not look serious. Thank God! I saw all these young people helping the injured passengers out of the bus through the back exit. Motorists who were passing stopped to take the injured passengers to the nearby hospital at Taman Tasik. Some of the students gave first aid to those who had superficial injuries. The other helped to direct the traffic to prevent a traffic jam. The ambulance and the police arrived. Photographs were taken. I was questioned by a police officer and then told to go to the police station to make a report. I drove my lorry to the police station to facilitate the investigation into the accident. I spent the whole day at the police station and then went to the hospital to see the injured victims. After speaking to the bus driver, I came to know that his brakes had failed and he could not control the vehicle. I told him that we should thank God that no lives were lost. I also told him that we should be grateful to the group of students who had acted promptly and responsibly.