The destructive effect of air pollutants (acidic and sulphur-containing) on stone buildings was examined by determining the sulfate contents in samples of stone taken from the old pina-cotheca (art gallery) in Munich. High levels found in the outer layers of stone illustrated the significance of such air pollutants and their stone-destroying action. This building is made of sandstone, which reacts relatively rapidly with acidic air pollutants. -- AATA