“Black” has fallen in some areas of the US after airstrikes on oil depots at the weekend, with some media reporting “acid rain”.
Residents of Iran reported headaches, difficulty breathing, and that the rain that fell was contaminated with oil, leaving residue on buildings and cars. Iran’s Red Crescent warned that rainfall following the attacks could be “extremely dangerous and acidic”.
Researchers, , report that this rain likely contains acids and a number of other pollutants that are harmful to humans and the environment in both the short and long term. In fact, it can be even worse than what the term “acid rain” usually implies.
CRAZY FOOTAGE 🔴
Apocalyptic scenes coming out of Tehran right now
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613)
What is acid rain?
One of the main ways that air pollutants are removed from the atmosphere is through rain. When there are high levels of pollution in the air, these pollutants are picked up by falling raindrops and eventually “washed” from the atmosphere to the ground.
This is why we are now seeing reports of black rain falling from the sky after the oil rigs were hit. It is an indication of how polluted the local air must be.
Rain likely contains toxic pollutants such as hydrocarbons, PM2.5 particles and carcinogenic compounds (PAHs), as well as other chemicals from smoke, burnt materials and explosions such as heavy metals and inorganic compounds.
In addition, smoke from burning oil releases sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), which form sulfuric and nitric acids in the atmosphere. These acids are incorporated into the rain and create what we call acid rain, a phenomenon previously associated primarily with the burning of fossil fuels.
March 8, 2026 – Tehran at sunrise today. But the sun is hidden behind a sky filled with smoke. After a night of intensive strikes on oil facilities, thick black clouds now hang over the city, turning morning into something that feels like night.
— RKOT (@RKOTOfficial)
Potential health hazards
People exposed to black smoke may experience headaches and difficulty breathing, especially the elderly, young children and people with disabilities.
In the long term, exposure to the compounds found in the air and in this black rain may increase the risk of cancer. When PM2.5 particles are inhaled, they can pass through the lungs into the bloodstream. This has been linked to a range of health effects, including various types of cancer, neurological disorders and cardiovascular problems.
The environmental legacy of war
In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the environmental consequences of wars, particularly after the destruction of oil wells and the use of waste incineration pits in conflicts in Iraq and Kuwait.
To reduce exposure to toxic smoke and black rain, people are advised to wear masks, stay indoors, close doors and windows, and clean surfaces. However, in wartime these measures are difficult to implement.
Experience from veterans shows that such exposures can cause long-term health effects, meaning local populations are likely to be affected even more.
