The monitoring equipment donated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

THE Japan International Cooperation Agency earlier this month donated acid deposition monitoring equipment valued at nearly US$150,000 to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology.

“[Acid deposition monitoring equipment] is needed in all countries in the region, which is why we have donated this equipment valued at $145,960 to the DMH,” JICA said in a statement.

Acid deposition is mostly caused by industrial emissions of sulphur and nitrogen compounds that are transformed by chemical processes in the atmosphere to produce acids. The acids might fall to the earth in dry or wet forms (the latter known as acid rain), with harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals and buildings.

The statement said rapid industrialisation in East Asia has boosted the consumption of coal, oil and natural gas, the use of which emits air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide.

Although Myanmar’s industrial emissions are relatively low, pollutants emitted by neighbours can raise the levels of acid deposition in the country.

“If there is no proper management to control it efficiently, the emission of air pollutants will increase, which can affect the environment,” the statement said.

In order to help mitigate the effects of acid deposition within its borders, Myanmar joined the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia in 2005.