the Island is generating its own pollution.

And the situation has been closely monitored by the Bermuda Biological Station for Research over the past three years.

Acid rain is not as big a problem on the Island as in other areas of the world because of the natural limestone buffer. But scientists will continue to monitor the situation in case it does get worse.

Environmental scientist at the station Dr. Kent Simmons said that air pollution has been tracked from the US since 1980. Dr. Simmons said that the pollution in Bermuda has been checked over the past three years.

He said: "We have taken 250 rainwater samples from Prospect over the past three years to check for acid rain. We are trying to ascertain the proportions of acid rain from two different sources -- the US and that generated from vehicles, smoke stacks and hotels in Bermuda.

"It is still be investigated but once we know the chemistry we have a baseline where we can look at changes, for example with the building of the incinerator and the effects it will have.'' The levels of acid in acid rain are called the "ph levels.'' Rainwater free of pollutants would have ph of 5.6 but it would still contain acid from natural carbon dioxide. Figures decrease as acid levels rise.

Dr. Simmons said: "The average ph over the past three years in Bermuda has been 4.6. This is a similar figure to New England where trees and lakes have been seriously affected by acid rain.

"But in Bermuda there is the natural limestone buffer and various weather conditions that neutralise the acid rain.'' When rain hits Bermuda's rooftops and roads its effects are neutralised by the limestone. Dr. Simmons said that figures from the station will be passed on to Government for future reference.