If the central government hadn't implemented measures to control the emissions of airborne pollutants between 2006 and 2010, this year's smog and acid rain could have been even more severe, according to an environmental report.

In a report the Chinese Academy for Environmental Planning released on Tuesday, sulfur dioxide emissions would have increased by 35 percent if not for the emissions control policy the government implemented during those five years.

Without the government's measures, twice the amount of sulfur would have settled on the ground, greatly increasing the frequency of acid rain. The report said if not for the policy, the number of cities not meeting national air quality standards would be 282 instead of the current mark of 264.