Nearly 40% of World Population Exposed to Dangerous Ozone Levels, Study Finds

Almost 40 percent of the global population is being exposed to dangerous levels of ground-level ozone, driven by extreme heat and human-caused air pollution, a new study from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service has revealed. This pollutant directly attacks the human respiratory system, posing a significant public health threat.

In the first eight months of the current year, only 5 percent of the world experienced "good" ozone levels, while 34 percent faced "extremely poor" conditions. Asia is the most affected continent, with 60 percent of its population exposed to extremely high ozone levels. Europe has also seen widespread exposure, with half of its population experiencing "poor," "very poor," or "extremely poor" ozone levels following a series of severe heatwaves.

Ground-level ozone forms when pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react in sunlight, particularly under hot conditions. These factors have converged across numerous regions this year, leading to elevated ozone concentrations.

The UK government notes that ozone can trigger inflammation of the respiratory tract, eyes, nose, and throat, and exacerbate asthma attacks. Beyond human health, ozone can also harm vegetation, reducing growth and crop yields, and contribute to the formation of smog.

Florian Pappenberger, Director-General of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, emphasized the interconnectedness of climate change, air quality, and public health. "Wildfire smoke, ozone and dust can travel thousands of kilometres, affecting communities far from their source," he stated, highlighting the need for coordinated global action.

In addition to ozone, the study warns of increasing global exposure to wildfire smoke. North America experienced a surge in fires in Canada and the western U.S. in June, leading to air quality advisories in several states. Southeast Asia also faced hazardous air pollution from fires in Borneo and Indonesia.

Dorota Jarosińska, programme manager at the WHO European Centre for Environment, Climate Change and Health, described air pollution as one of Europe's greatest environmental health risks, linked to serious conditions like heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. She noted that data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service is crucial for filling monitoring gaps, especially in areas with sparse ground monitoring, enabling better public health warnings and risk assessments.