Judgement of the Supreme Court of India on Taj Mahal dated 30/12/1996 in the matter of M. C. Mehta Vs Union of India & Others. The judges noted that the Taj is threatened with deterioration and damage not only by the traditional causes of decay, but also by changing social and economic conditions which aggravate the situation with even more formidable phenomena of damage or destruction.

According to the petitioner, the foundries, chemical/hazardous industries and the refinery at Mathura are the major sources of damage to The Taj. The sulphurdioxide emitted by the Mathura Refinery and the industries when combined with Oxygen - with the aid of moisture - in the atmosphere forms sulphuric acid called "Acid rain" which has a corroding effect on the gleaming white marble. Industrial/Refinery emissions, brick-kilns, vehicular traffic and generator-sets are primarily responsible for polluting the ambient air around Taj Trapezium (TTZ). The petition states that the white marble has yellowed and and blackened in places.