New satellite data revealed that air pollution controls during the Beijing Olympic Games did have a positive impact, leading to sharp decline in certain pollutants, U.S. scientists said this week.

During the two months when air pollution restrictions were in place, levels of nitrogen dioxide in Beijing’s air plunged nearly 50 percent, Jacquelyn Witte, an atmospheric scientist NASA, told the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union.

Their analysis of data from NASA’s Aura and Terra satellites also showed levels of carbon monoxide in Beijing’s air fell about 20 percent during the period, Witte reported…

Such models are important for understanding the integrated Earth system and aiding policymakers considering ways to reduce pollution.

The reports will also provide guidance for longer-term solutions both for local officials in Beijing and cities with similar problems – and national administrations that commit to solving environmental degradation.