ABSTRACT
Development of the Black Country was associated with the Industrial Revolution and the use of fossil fuels. Rapid establishment of an iron industry and associated trades resulted in one of the most polluted areas of the UK. In the Black Country towns many of the key buildings, such as churches and municipal buildings, were constructed of natural stone, mainly limestones and sandstones. Unfortunately, both domestic and industrial use of coal led to the soiling and deterioration of these stone buildings. In the latter half of the 20th century, consequent to national trends, smoke and sulphur dioxide pollution from coal in the Black Country declined and were replaced by air pollutants from petrol and diesel combustion. The relative effects of coal and diesel particulates on Hollington sandstone and Portland limestone building stone in the Black Country are investigated here.
