Today we speak of the quality of life and the need to improve the quality of the environment. The removal of all kinds of pollution from our environment is a laudable aim and for some types of pollution positive action and an awareness of the problem can make improvements with a minimum of cost. However, in the case of most forms of pollution, and this includes noise, improvement in the quality of the environment can only proceed at a price. Thus there is considerable need for phased reductions in pollution and future planning with imposed realistic targets is paramount. In this region of social planning the problem of cost benefit analysis cannot always be applied and pressures are exerted to directing funds for economic gains and combating other pressures in national and international life in directions which lead away from pollution control. Nevertheless improvements to the environment dependent on the supply of finance can only be achieved, all other things being equal, when the economic state of a country is stable and attention of governments is directed with a willingness to achieve what at first sight is a downright impossibility.