“On April 26, 1986, a sudden surge in power during a test of reactor systems destroyed Unit 4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Ukraine, in the former Soviet Union. The accident and the fire that followed released enormous quantities of radioactive material into the environment.” (USNRC) Around the world, nuclear power plants are being used to replace natural fossil fuels due to rising costs. Although power plants are more cost effective, they release SO2 and NOx into the air that form various acidic compounds and particles that remain in the air and ozone for days and even years. They come down in the form of acid rain which can lead to various health problems and death. Energy production is a significant source of pollutants that can endanger the environment, the economy and human health. To begin with, acid rain, the product of such incidents, falls on the environment affecting it in various ways. Lakes and streams are most affected by acidification. One survey investigated the effects of acidity on over a thousand lakes larger than ten acres and thousands of miles of streams. “Of the lakes and streams examined, acid rain caused acidity in seventy-five percent of the acidic lakes and in approximately fifty percent of the acidic streams.” (EPA) Most aquatic organisms are not competent for such acidity, so they die and decrease biodiversity. With the decrease in biodiversity, the food chain is also affected and partially lost. Aquatic ecosystems are not the only ones affected, acidification also accelerates the decomposition of materials. Acid rain and the dry deposition of acidic particles contribute to the corrosion of metals and the deterioration of paint and stone. Such effects can reduce the value of buildings, bridges, cars and... half the paper... leading to a decrease in biodiversity and a loss in the food chain. Buildings, statues, monuments and more also suffer from corrosion and deterioration that reduce their value or may be lost forever. Nuclear power plants have a huge impact on our environment, economy and health; and it's not for the good. Works Cited “Effects of Acid Rain – Human Health.” Acid rain. US EPA, April 12, 2012. Web. February 11, 2014. “Nuclear Power Plant.” Union of Concerned Scientists. UCS, 01 10 2013. Web. 12 February 2014. .Koirkpatick, Cullen. "Nuclear energy: the power of the future". Nuclear energy. Cullen Kirkpatrick. Network. February 12 2014. .