Estimating the cost of damage to buildings by acidifying atmospheric pollution in Europe

Damage to buildings and materials caused by acidifying atmospheric pollution imposes considerable socioeconomic costs across much of Europe. The aim of this study was to attempt a first estimate of the cost savings which will result from the implementation of the second Sulphur Protocol. The methodology and damage functions were adapted from a joint Nordic project which calculated damage costs in Stockholm, Prague and Sarpsborg, in Norway [Kucera et al. (1993). In Progress in the Understanding of Corrosion, Vol. 1. Institute of Materials, London]. For evaluation at this scale population data was used as the only available indicator of the distribution of stock at risk. Sulphur dioxide was used as a proxy for all acidifying pollutants, and urban and rural concentration data provided by WHO and EMEP, respectively. Results show that the cost savings are potentially very large, particularly in Eastern Europe, and may compensate for a considerable proportion of abatement costs. In addition, the mainly local nature of effects could shift the economic emphasis from transboundary to domestic benefits, and thus affect the political decision-making process.