The Dangers of Acidic Water

The Environmental Protection Agency reports that approximately 79 million pounds of acidic toxic waste is disposed of every year. Much of it winds up in landfills, lakes, rivers, oceans and creeks. There are also natural causes of acidic water, such as volcanic activity.

Dangers to Plant Life

• Acidic water can cause the roots of plants, including crops, to be stunted or to die. Acid rain water also damages the leaves of plants, destroying their protective coating. This leaves them vulnerable to disease and parasitic infestations and in general leaves them weaker, making them less able to live through harsh weather.

Dangers to Animal Life

• When acidic water harms plant life, many animals that feed on those plants (or on the insects that feed on those plants) may starve or be forced to find new habitat. The dangers of acidic water for fish and aquatic life are similar. The acidic water damages their habitat, weakens the fish and makes them susceptible to disease.

Dangers to Structures

• Acidic water in the form of rain damages buildings, bridges, monuments and other structures. Acid rain also leads to faster corrosion of people's cars. Acidic water damages not only metals, but stone structures such as the Acropolis and the Mayan ruins.

Dangers to People

• Loss of plant and animal life directly affects people by lessening the food supply and driving up the cost of food. Acidic water may be bad for your teeth, and it may be that it is bad for people because it changes the pH balance in the body and makes it harder for the body to dispose of acid waste products. Scientists are still studying the long-term effects of exposure to acidic water.