However, for economic reasons, none of these measures is applied universally, and political and social pressures have not yet forced their application. Developing countries have expressed fear that excessive concern over pollution could impede their economic development—and indeed some of these countries have become sanctuaries for industries that find it less expensive to operate there than in areas with more rigorous standards. It is apparent that pollution control, regardless of the advanced state of its technology, will become a reality only when people demand it and only when nations are willing to agree on appropriate international standards.