A Success Story Turned Warning Sign
In the 1970s, acid rain was one of the most serious environmental threats in North America and Europe. Pollution from coal power plants and automobiles turned rainfall toxic, killing fish, destroying forests, and eroding structures. Public outcry led to policy changes, and by the 1990s, regulations significantly reduced acid rain, making it a rare environmental success story.
But now, a new and even more insidious threat has taken its place.
The Rise of Plastic and Chemical Rain
As regulatory efforts focused on reducing air pollution, industries introduced new pollutants, including microplastics and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as ‘forever chemicals.’ These substances, used in everything from clothing to cookware, do not easily degrade and have infiltrated every part of our environment—even the rain.
“It’s much worse than the acid rain problem,” Janice Brahney, a biogeochemist at Utah State University, told Vox. “With acid rain, we could stop emitting acid precursors, and then acid rain would stop falling. But we can’t stop the microplastic cycle anymore. It’s there, and it’s not going away.”
What’s in the Rain Now?
Multiple studies confirm that microplastics and PFAS are found in rainfall worldwide. A 2020 study in Science found that microplastics fall in rain across the Western U.S., including national parks and remote areas. Researchers estimated that over 1,000 metric tons of plastic particles—equivalent to hundreds of millions of plastic water bottles—fall from the sky each year.
Highways and urban centers serve as major sources of airborne microplastics.
“Roads are littered with plastic waste that breaks down and gets kicked into the air by cars,” Brahney explained. The ocean is another significant contributor. “When waves crash or bubbles burst, microscopic plastic particles are sent into the atmosphere.”
The Spread of Forever Chemicals
PFAS contamination is just as concerning. A 2024 study titled It’s Raining PFAS in South Florida found more than 20 different PFAS compounds in rainwater around Miami, including chemicals phased out years ago but still present in concentrations above government health advisory levels.
“For us to get rid of PFAS, we probably have to go back in time,” Natalia Soares Quinete, a chemist at Florida International University, told Vox. “Even though regulations are increasing, I don’t see us completely getting rid of these chemicals.”
Studies suggest that no untreated rainwater is safe to drink due to these contaminants, with PFAS detected in rainfall across the U.S., Europe, and even Antarctica.
Are We at Risk?
While most people in developed nations rely on treated water, these pollutants still pose risks. Municipal water systems remove many but not all microplastics and PFAS. A 2023 study by the U.S. Geological Survey found that 45% of the country’s tap water contains at least one type of PFAS.
“Treatment facilities don’t have the technology to remove all microplastic compounds, let alone measure them,” Brahney said. “There are tens of thousands of chemicals involved, and we only understand a fraction of them.”
How to Protect Yourself
- Avoid drinking untreated rainwater or eating snow, no matter how pristine it looks.
- Use water filters. Reverse osmosis filters remove a significant portion of microplastics and PFAS. Some countertop pitcher filters, like Zero Water and LifeStraw, can also help.
- Opt for tap water over bottled water. Bottled water often contains microplastics, and using tap water reduces plastic waste.
The Long-Term Consequences
Scientists suspect microplastics could be linked to cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders. A recent study even found microplastics in human brains. Meanwhile, nearly all Americans have PFAS in their blood, with links to high cholesterol, low birth weight, and kidney cancer.
Wildlife is at even greater risk. “If we have these contaminants in our rainwater, they’re getting into our groundwater, our soils—every organism is interacting with rainwater,” Brahney said.
The persistence of these pollutants means their effects will be felt for generations. “To be honest, I cry,” Brahney admitted. “There’s no walking this back. These particles don’t break down on a relevant time scale. We’re not escaping this.”
The Time to Act Is Now
While we can’t reverse all the damage, we can take steps to slow the spread of microplastics and chemical pollution. Individual actions, combined with systemic change, can help protect future generations from an even more toxic world.
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