40% of the World’s Population Exposed to Dangerous Ozone Pollution.

This year, approximately 40% of the world’s population has been exposed to dangerous ground-level ozone pollution as a result of climate change, high temperatures and air pollution.

According to an analysis by the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) covering the first eight months of 2026, ground-level ozone is formed as a result of chemical reactions between various pollutants under the influence of sunlight and high temperatures, and it poses risks to human health, ecosystems and agriculture.

Asia, Europe and North America have been the regions most affected by ozone pollution. In Asia, 60% of the population has been exposed to extremely high ozone levels. In Europe, 50% of the population has experienced “poor” and “very poor” ozone levels. In North America, more than two-thirds of the population has been exposed to “poor” or “extremely poor” ozone levels.

According to CAMS data, wildfires, industrial and transport emissions, as well as desert dust, have had a significant impact on air quality. These pollutants can travel thousands of kilometres with the wind and spread to areas far from their source.

Experts say that air pollution and climate change are closely interconnected and that international measures are needed to reduce the problem.