Effects on Fabrics and Dyes

The major effects of air pollution on fabrics are soiling and loss of tensile strength. Sulfur oxides are considered to cause the greatest loss of tensile strength. The most widely publicized example of this type of problem has been damage to women s nylon hose by air pollution, described in newspaper accounts. The mechanism is not understood, but it is postulated that fine droplets of sulfuric acid aerosol deposit on the very thin nylon 

Particulate matter contributes to the soiling of fabrics. The increased frequency of washing to remove dirt results in more wear on the fabric, causing it to deteriorate in the cleaning process. 

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