News > Pandemic Lockdowns Led to a Surprising And Sudden Drop in Ozone Pollution, But It Won't Last

Pandemic Lockdowns Led to a Surprising And Sudden Drop in Ozone Pollution, But It Won't Last

Last year's pandemic lockdowns not only saved even more people from contracting COVID-19, they also brought a sudden plunge in ozone pollution. 

New estimates from NASA reveal ozone air pollution largely due to emission reductions in Asia and the Americas. That might not sound like much, but experts say it's a global decrease that would otherwise take at least 15 years to achieve, even under the most aggressive emission reduction schemes.