Acid rain is a type of precipitation with a higher pH level than normal rain. When sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from fossil fuels, such as coal, come into contact with water droplets in the atmosphere, they react to form sulfuric and nitric acid which then fall to the ground as acid rain. Acid rain can have a damaging effect on the built environment, particularly on structures that are made of stone, brick, or mortar. It can corrode metal and dissolve minerals, making structures more vulnerable to weathering.
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