Acid rain was first discovered in Manchester, England in 1852. It is caused when sulfur and nitrogen oxides from fossil fuel combustion react with water molecules in the air to form acids like sulfuric acid and nitric acid. When it rains, the acidic compounds fall to earth. The main cause of acid rain is human activities like burning fossil fuels. It can harm surface waters, soils, forests, statues, and human health. Prevention methods include using less fossil fuels, encouraging reforestation, and requiring pollution control devices on power plants.