Beijing says measures have led to 20 percent drop in pollutants ahead of Olympics

Temporary measures targeting Beijing's notorious traffic and pollution ahead of the Olympics have led to a 20 percent drop in major pollutants, a city environmental official said Friday. Although it has yet to translate into blue skies, Du Shaozhong, deputy director for the city's environmental protection bureau, said pre-Olympic moves to take cars off the road and close factories have helped. Du said there has been a clear reduction in the concentration of several major pollutants — including carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and inhalable particles — since July 1, compared with the same period last year. "I'm sure the effects have already been felt and are quite evident," he told a news conference. Beijing's polluted skies have been one of the biggest worries ahead of the Olympics that begin in two weeks, prompting... [read full story]