Concern has been expressed on the cost of damage to materials caused by air pollutants. The UNECE Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution has prompted research into this are to obtain quantitative information concerning a range of materials including zinc, paint, and stone. At present, most information is available for zinc and this article will compare the available dose response functions including the newly derived function for the UK. The details of the analysis for the UK dose response function for zinc are described and the statistical approach, specific for cost benefit application to sulphur oxide emission scenarios is discussed. Atmospheric corrosion surveys currently being initiated to provide information on paint and stone will be considered in terms of the difficulties associated with damage assessment.