Satellite gives good news on air pollution

GREENBELT, Md., Dec. 1 (UPI) -- An instrument on a NASA satellite has confirmed major reductions in air pollution by coal power plants in the eastern United States, researchers say.

The Ozone Monitoring Instrument on the Aura satellite saw reductions in sulfur dioxide, a key air pollutant that contributes to the formation of acid rain and can cause serious health problems, a NASA release said Thursday.

About two-thirds of sulfur dioxide pollution in American air comes from coal power plants, NASA said.

The new measurements demonstrate scientists can use satellites to measure levels of harmful emissions throughout the world, even in regions without adequate ground monitoring systems, researchers said.

Scientists said the decline in sulfur dioxide can be traced to the Clean Air Interstate Rule of 2005 enacted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that called for deep cuts in sulfur dioxide emissions.

"What we're seeing in these satellite observations represents a major environmental accomplishment," Bryan Bloomer, an EPA scientist familiar with the new satellite observations, said. "This is a huge success story for the EPA and the Clean Air Interstate Rule," he said.