A GLOBAL problem
Ozone pollution occurs around the world.
Global ozone exposures vary from a low of about 12 ppb to a high of about 67 ppb across the globe. The 10 countries with the highest average ozone exposures in 2019 were in Asia and the Middle East. They include Qatar, Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Pakistan, Kuwait, the Islamic Republic of Iraq, the Republic of Korea, and Saudi Arabia. Small island states, such as Micronesia and Papua New Guinea, comprised the countries with the lowest concentrations.
On the rise
Exposures have increased slowly but steadily over the past decade.
On average, global exposure to ozone increased from about 47 ppb in 2010 to nearly 50 ppb in 2019, a trajectory that is expected to continue as a result of warming temperatures and increased emissions of ozone precursors. Countries in South Asia saw the steepest increase, while countries in the High-Income Region and in Latin America and the Caribbean experienced modest declines.
Figure G. Trends in average seasonal 8-hour maximum ozone concentrations globally and in the GBD Super Regions.
Ozone exposures have increased in 12 of the world’s 20 most populous countries since 2010. Several populous countries that already had the highest ozone concentrations — India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh — have also seen some of the greatest increases. Other countries saw a drop in ozone levels during this period.
Figure H. Change in population-weighted average seasonal 8-hour maximum ozone concentrations in the 20 most populous countries, 2010–2019. Toggle to switch estimates.
Disparities in socioeconomic development often contribute to disparities in exposure and health. To capture different facets of development that are relevant to health outcomes, the GBD project uses a metric called sociodemographic index (SDI).
For ozone, however, there is no consistent relationship between ozone exposures and a country’s level of sociodemographic development, in part because ozone is often transported far from its sources, affecting multiple countries.
Figure I. Ozone exposures in countries with different levels of sociodemographic development. Dots represent individual countries, color-coded according to GBD Super Region. Dot size reflects population size.
Climate connection
Ozone pollution is accelerated by — and contributes to— climate change.
Studies suggest that ozone levels today are 30–70% higher than they were 100 years ago. This increase reflects two trends, both of which are connected to climate change.
The first trend is a rise in emissions of the chemicals that form ozone. The main sources of these emissions include the burning of fossil fuels and other industrial processes, as well as some natural sources. Burning fossil fuels is also a main driver of climate change.
The second trend is a rise in global and local temperatures. The warmer the air, the faster the chemical reaction that creates ozone. Thus, as climate change causes temperatures to climb, more ozone pollution is formed.
Ozone is also a greenhouse gas. This means it contributes to global warming, creating a feedback loop that leads to more ozone — and more warming — on a global scale.
