Acid rain forms when airborne pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from the burning of fossil fuels combine with water vapor in the atmosphere. It is rain with a pH lower than 5.6 compared to natural rain which has a pH of 5.6. Acid rain is damaging marble structures, changing lake pH levels so most fish and plant life cannot survive below 4.5, and breaking down tree leaves which interferes with photosynthesis. Legislation has helped reduce acid rain by requiring coal plants install scrubbers to absorb 95% of sulfur dioxide emissions before releasing it into the air.