Paris (France) (AFP) - About a third of the world's population will be exposed to very high levels of air pollution with ozone during the year 2026, as a result of heat waves, forest fires and emissions caused by human activities, according to a report issued by the European Union on Wednesday.

Published on: 09/30/2026 - 09:35

A new analysis conducted by the European Union's Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, covering the first eight months of the year, highlights the close relationship between climate change and air pollution.

Ozone is formed near the Earth's surface as a result of the interaction of heat and sunlight with emissions resulting from forest fires, vehicles, and industrial activities, which may cause lung tissue damage, breathing difficulties, asthma attacks, and other health problems.

Despite the progress achieved in recent decades in reducing emissions of the most harmful air pollutants, combating ozone pollution remains more difficult, as climate change creates suitable conditions for its formation.

The record heat waves and forest fires that swept Europe and North America this year contributed to the exacerbation of ozone pollution, after clouds of smoke spread to far areas beyond their borders.

Indonesia, in turn, witnessed widespread forest fires, while the report warned that the El Niño climate phenomenon, which began in June and is expected to peak later in the year, could cause more fires to break out in Southeast Asia.

Lawrence Roy, director of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, said in the report titled “Atmosphere Monitoring” that “air pollution does not stop at borders, but can travel thousands of kilometers, crossing continents and oceans, to affect air quality in areas far from its source.”

Severe pollution

The Copernicus service relies on satellite data and computer models to monitor air pollution and forest fires.

The report showed that 34 percent of the world's population was exposed to air quality classified as "very poor" between January 1 and September 15, with ozone concentrations far exceeding the levels recommended by the World Health Organization.

The organization sets the recommended maximum exposure to ozone at 100 micrograms per cubic meter of air, calculated on the basis of average exposure over eight hours.

Another 17 percent of the world's population was exposed to air quality classified as "very poor," while the percentage of those exposed to good levels of ozone did not exceed five percent.

Asia recorded the highest rates of exposure to ozone pollution, with 53 percent of its population breathing air whose quality was classified as “very poor,” compared to 22 percent who were exposed to “very poor” air.

Widespread emissions on the continent are linked to industrial expansion, economic growth and the transport sector, as well as forest fires and the burning of agricultural waste.

New Delhi, India, Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, the huge Chinese city of Chongqing, and Lahore, Pakistan, were among the cities that recorded very high levels of ozone pollution.

In North America, two-thirds of the population was exposed to air quality classified as “poor” or “very poor,” compared to 45 percent of the European population.

The report indicated the success of European legislation in reducing emissions of air pollutants, with the exception of ozone.

Ozone levels in North America recorded no significant change, despite the adoption of ambitious policies to reduce emissions, according to the report.

Eight percent of the African continent's population was exposed this year to air quality classified as "very poor," while 19 percent was exposed to "bad" or "very poor" air.

In South America, the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo recorded very high levels of ozone, while levels reached very high levels in Rio de Janeiro.

However, the report showed that 81 percent of South Americans were exposed to air quality that ranged between “good” and “acceptable.”

Oceania, which includes Australia and New Zealand, recorded better results, with 66 percent of its population enjoying good levels of ozone, while 34 percent were exposed to levels classified as “acceptable.”

© 2026 AFP

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