A recent report by the European Copernicus service reveals that only 5% of the world's population were exposed to "good" ozone levels, and 15% to "acceptable" conditions in 2026. The report, published on September 30 by the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) of the European Union, highlights that during the first eight months of 2026, 40% of the global population was exposed to dangerous levels of ozone, a harmful pollutant that is often overlooked. Another report claims that over a third (34%) of the world's population was exposed this year to extremely high levels of ozone pollution, driven by heatwaves, forest fires, and human emissions. These findings underscore the growing concern about the impact of ozone on public health and the environment. Asia was the most affected region, with reports indicating that 60% of the population was exposed to extremely high ozone levels. Another report states that 53% of the population in Asia was exposed to "extremely high" levels during the first eight months of 2026. In Europe, reports conflict slightly, with one stating that 50% of the population was exposed to "fair," "very fair," or "extremely fair" ozone levels, while another report claims that 50% of Europeans were exposed to dangerous ozone levels in 2026. These discrepancies highlight the complexity of measuring and reporting air quality across different regions. Ozone forms when certain pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, react under the influence of sunlight and high temperatures. This ground-level ozone, which should not be confused with the protective ozone layer in the stratosphere, can cause a range of health issues, including respiratory problems, asthma attacks, reduced lung function, and the development of respiratory diseases. According to Airparif, in the Île-de-France region of France alone, 1,700 premature deaths per year are linked to high ozone levels. In North America, two-thirds of the population were exposed to "poor" or "very poor" air quality, compared to 45% in Europe, according to one report. The report highlights that pollution is not confined by borders, with satellite images from the Copernicus service showing how pollution from fine particles, linked to forest fires and desert dust clouds, crossed continents in 2026, traveling thousands of kilometers. Ozone is a secondary pollutant, forming as a result of chemical reactions in the atmosphere, primarily from nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which react under the sun's UV rays. The high levels of ozone observed this year were partly fueled by record-breaking heatwaves and forest fires that affected Europe and North America, spreading well beyond their regions of origin. According to the report, globally, in addition to the 34% exposed to "extremely poor" air quality, 17% breathed "very poor" air. The report emphasizes the close link between climate change and air pollution, noting that heatwaves and fires exacerbate ozone pollution. Ian Marnane of the European Environment Agency emphasized during a press briefing that air pollution is "one of the most important environmental risks to human health," adding that in Europe it causes about 180,000 premature deaths each year, with 60,000 of those deaths attributed to ozone.