Abstract: Starting from measurement and analysis of physiochemical properties of dust covered on the stone-carvings of Nanxiangtang grotto,systematic study on characteristics and sources of the dust were performed.It was found that the main compositions of dust are cement dust,clay dust,smoke dust and coal dust,mainly coming from industrial sources around the grotto.At the same time,various reactions between the dust and the surface of carbonatite stone-carvings were discussed.It was proposed that industrial dust is an important factor causing damage to the surface of the stone-carvings.