With the increased burning of high-sulfur coal in industry, more sulfur and nitrogen oxides are being released into the atmosphere and precipitated in rain or snow. Rain normally has a pH of about 5.6, but in some areas values as low as 3.2 have been recorded. SO 2 and H 2SO 4 to which it is converted in the atmosphere, are causing damage to the environment, as well as to buildings, particularly galvanized steel, painted woodwork, and limestone. Studies in plant damage at Brookhaven National Laboratory are discussed. Suggestions for solving the problem are made. -- AATA