(CNN) The drastic measures enforced by China during the coronavirus outbreak have slashed deadly air pollution , potentially saving the lives of tens of thousands of people, a Stanford University researcher said. The link between air pollution and premature deaths has been well established. NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) pollution monitoring satellites have detected significant decreases in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) over China. To avoid overestimating the impact, Burke then rounded the reduction down to 10 ug/m3, and assumed only people living in urban areas would benefit from the cleaner air. At that time NASA also observed a significant reduction in pollution levels.

Source: CNN March 17, 2020 19:30 UTC