In a recent episode of Nikhil Kamath’s podcast, American tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson abruptly ended the interview, citing severe discomfort from India’s air pollution. Johnson, known for his anti-aging research and commitment to health optimization, experienced immediate adverse effects upon his arrival in India. Within three days, he reported skin rashes, burning eyes, and throat irritation, which he attributed to the country’s poor air quality. As Bryan Johnson left Nikhil Kamath’s podcast, citing poor air quality in a five-star room, the incident became viral on the internet.

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Air Quality Concerns During the Podcast

During the podcast, Johnson, wearing a N95 face mask, made a lighthearted remark about the haze in the room, saying, “I can’t see you over there.” This comment highlighted the severe indoor air pollution, which remained problematic despite the presence of an air purifier due to ventilation systems drawing in polluted outdoor air.

Later, Johnson stated that the room’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was 130, with PM2.5 levels at 75 µg/m³—equivalent to smoking approximately 3.4 cigarettes daily.

Also Read: India’s Air Pollution Crisis: Causes, Impacts, And Urgent Solutions

Bryan Johnson on India’s Air Pollution

Bryan Johnson’s decision to leave Nikhil Kamath’s podcast due to poor air quality has sparked a heated online debate. Taking to social media, Johnson highlighted the alarming extent to which hazardous air conditions have been normalized in India. He noted how people continue their daily routines without protective measures, engaging in outdoor activities, exercise, and even allowing young children to be exposed to high pollution levels, despite the evident health risks.

By his third day in India, Johnson stated that the pollution had caused his “skin to break out in a rash, with burning sensations in my eyes and throat.” He expressed shock at how air pollution appeared to be widely accepted, observing, “People were jogging outside, and babies and small children were exposed to the pollution from birth. Almost no one wore a mask despite the fact that it could significantly reduce exposure. It was incredibly perplexing.”

Johnson emphasized the critical health risks posed by air pollution, stating that improving air quality could have a greater impact on public health than curing all cancers. He urged Indian leaders to treat air pollution as a national emergency, raising questions about the systemic issues that perpetuate the crisis.

Also Read: Living In A Pollution-Free Environment Is A Fundamental Right: Supreme Court

Nithin Kamath’s Take on the Incident

In the wake of Bryan Johnson’s departure from Nikhil Kamath’s WTF podcast, Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath shared a thought-provoking perspective on a much larger issue—air pollution in India. Kamath highlighted how the incident led him to re-evaluate a long-held belief: that Delhi is the only Indian city with a serious air quality problem and that it only worsens in winter.

His assumptions were quickly proven wrong during the podcast recording, which took place in a sea-facing apartment in Bandra, Mumbai. Despite its open location by the coast, the AQI reading was a staggering 160+. This revelation led Kamath to question the air quality levels in more congested parts of the city.

To further explore this, he tested an AQI meter at his office in J.P. Nagar, Bengaluru, a relatively quiet neighborhood. The results were equally alarming, with readings exceeding 120+. Considering the ongoing construction boom, poor roads, and dust pollution in Bengaluru, he speculated that AQI levels in busier areas could be significantly worse.

Kamath compared these findings to AQI levels in the US and Europe, where readings below 50 are considered standard. In contrast, Indian cities frequently exceed 100, 150, or even 200+, with Delhi reaching 500+ during winter. He emphasized the severe health implications of long-term exposure to poor air quality, including lung damage, cardiovascular diseases, and increased cancer risk.

Should Property Prices Be Linked to AQI?

One of Kamath’s key takeaways was the idea that real estate prices should reflect air quality levels. If a locality has poor air quality, the property rates should be lower due to the increased health risks associated with living there. Conversely, areas with cleaner air should command higher prices, as they offer a healthier living environment.

However, Kamath noted that there is limited research on this correlation in India. He urged researchers and institutions to explore this further and suggested that hospital chains could provide anonymized health data to study the long-term impact of AQI on public health.

Through Rainmatter, his organization focused on sustainability and well-being, Kamath expressed an interest in collaborating with experts working on AQI research, urban health studies, and potential policy interventions. He emphasized that clean air should not be a luxury but a fundamental right and that more awareness and action are needed to tackle the growing crisis of air pollution in Indian cities.

Also Read: Delhi’s Annual Air Pollution Has Become A Man-Made Calamity

Rising Health Concerns Linked to Air Pollution

Johnson’s experience has sparked discussions on India’s air pollution crisis, especially regarding PM2.5 particles, which pose serious health risks. Johnson also emphasized the serious implications for public health, stating: “Research indicates that improving air quality in India would have a greater impact on public health than even curing all forms of cancer.”

He questioned why India’s leaders had not declared air pollution a national emergency, expressing uncertainty about the political and economic forces that maintain the status quo. He added, “I don’t know what interests, financial incentives, or power dynamics keep things unchanged, but it is severely harming the entire nation.”

India has long battled poor air quality, particularly in northern regions. A December 2024 study published in The Lancet found that nearly the entire Indian population was exposed to PM2.5 levels exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended limits.

This alarming statistic underscores the need for urgent policy interventions and public awareness campaigns to address the environmental and health challenges caused by air pollution.

Johnson’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need to address environmental health issues, which have become dangerously normalized in many regions.

Also Read: Air Pollution May Raise Infertility Risk, Impacting Reproductive Health: US Study