edited by Peter Brimblecombe (University of East Anglia, UK)

Air pollution damages materials, but it has changed dramatically in the past century, with a reduction in the concentration of corrosive primary pollutants in urban atmospheres. At the same time, architectural styles and types of materials have changed, as we have moved to more organically rich, photochemically active atmospheres.

Contemporary air pollutants have the potential to degrade organic coatings and polymers, which are of great importance to modern structures, while increasing amounts of fine diesel soot spoil the simple lines and smooth areas characteristic of many modern buildings.

This book examines a range of materials, discussing the ways in which they are likely to be damaged by air pollutants. It should be of interest to scientists and policymakers dealing with the effects of urban air pollution.

• Long Term Damage to the Built Environment (P Brimblecombe & D Camuffo)
• Background Controls on Urban Stone Decay: Lessons from Natural Rock Weathering (B J Smith)
• Mechanisms of Air Pollution Damage to Stone (C Sabbioni)
• Mechanisms of Air Pollution Damage to Brick, Concrete and Mortar (T Yates)
• Salts and Crusts (M Steiger)
• Organic Pollutants in the Built Environment and Their Effect on the Microorganisms (C Saiz-Jimenez)
• Air Pollution Damage to Metals (J Tidblad & V Kucera)
• The Effect of Air Pollution on Glass (J Leissner)
• The Effects of Ozone on Materials — Experimental Evaluation of the Susceptibility of Polymeric Materials to Ozone (D S Lee et al.)
• The Soiling of Buildings by Air Pollution (J Watt & R Hamilton)
• Changes in Soiling Patterns Over Time on the Cathedral of Learning (W Tang et al.)
• Exposure of Buildings to Pollutants in Urban Areas: A Review of the Contributions from Different Sources (D J Hall et al.)
• The Whole Building and Patterns of Degradation (R Inkpen)