Samples of cotton fabric were exposed for 18 months to environmental conditions at various locations in London. These locations were tested for the ambient level of both smoke and sulfur dioxide. The samples were tested for retained strength in the warp and weft; the percentages of the original warp strength and reflectance were also calculated. No general correlation was observed between the level of air pollutants and the deterioration of the samples. Other factors not tested may be responsible for the deterioration. One example is microorganisms, which may be more prevalent in rural areas.