so2 emissions change.jpg

Sulfur dioxide emissions have dropped dramatically over the past decade, a new study says. These two maps show sulfur dioxide concentrations (darker means greater emissions) for two periods: left, 2005-2007, and right, 2011-2014. (NASA)

(NASA)

Washington, D.C. -- A new study shows that emissions of pollutants that cause acid rain have dropped dramatically in the United States.

The study found that that stringent air regulations and technological improvements have cut nitrogen oxide emissions by 40 percent and sulfur dioxide emissions by 80 percent over the past decade.

"The good news for people living in the eastern United States is that levels of sulfur dioxide dropped by about 80 percent between 2005 and 2014," NASA said.

The drop in sulfur and nitrogen compounds emitted into the air has meant less acid rain for the Adirondacks, said Syracuse University professor Charley T. Driscoll.

"We have seen an immediate drop in acid rain, and that's driving some recovery," said Driscoll, who has studied acid rain's effects in the Adirondacks and other regions. "It's a tremendous success story."

Driscoll was not involved in the new study, which was conducted by a team of 18 scientists from the U.S. and the Netherlands. The study used NASA satellite data to compare emissions over time.

Driscoll said a variety of federal air pollution regulations, and the increasing move from coal to natural gas to fire power plants, led to the drop. Emissions should continue to decline as federal regulations such as the Clean Power Plan ramp up, he said.

Adirondack lakes should improve even more, Driscoll said. Within 15 years, he said, the amount of acid rain in those lakes could be down to levels not seen since before the Industrial Revolution.

"It's remarkable how far it's come," he said.

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