This building in Copola, Mexico, has been damaged by acid rain.
Click on image for full size
Courtesy of UCAR Digital Image Library

Air Pollution to Property

In addition to damaging the environment and human health, air pollution can harm buildings, monuments, outdoor statues, and other such structures. The chemicals in air pollution eat away at materials such as sandstone, limestone, mortar, and different metals. Acid rain dissolves stone and can create cracks in buildings.

Repairing this damage, particularly to historic structures, can be very expensive. The National Center for Preservation Technology & Training studies the environmental effects of pollution on property and works to restore and protect historic structures and monuments.

Homeowners also pay a price for air pollution. Acid rain can dissolve paint and eat away at aluminum siding, while dirt particles in the air stick to a house and ruin its appearance.

Last modified February 7, 2006 by Jennifer Bergman.

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