'Breathing India’s Air Equals Smoking 3.4 Cigarettes,' Tech Millionaire Bryan Johnson Slams Air Quality, Walks Out of Podcast with Billionaire Nikhil Kamath

Tech millionaire Bryan Johnson, widely known for his anti-ageing research, recently cut short a podcast with Zerodha co-founder and billionaire Nikhil Kamath due to India’s poor air quality. Johnson, who was on his third day in the country, revealed that the high pollution levels not only forced him to leave the conversation early but also caused severe health issues like skin rashes, burning eyes and throat irritation. His strong remarks about India’s air pollution and leadership have sparked widespread debate.

Health Hazards of India’s Air Pollution Shock Bryan Johnson

During the podcast, Bryan Johnson struggled with the air quality inside the room, which circulated outside air. He noted that even with an air purifier, the pollution levels indoors remained alarmingly high. The AQI inside the room stood at 130, while PM2.5 levels reached 75 µg/m³—equivalent to smoking 3.4 cigarettes for 24 hours of exposure.

When in India, I did end this podcast early due to the bad air quality. @nikhilkamathcio was a gracious host and we were having a great time. The problem was that the room we were in circulated outside air which made the air purifier I'd brought with me ineffective.

Inside,… https://t.co/xTkpW567Xv

— Bryan Johnson /dd (@bryan_johnson) February 3, 2025

Johnson highlighted how pollution had severe effects on his health, causing a rash on his skin and irritation in his eyes and throat. He was surprised that air pollution has become so normalised in India that people continue outdoor activities like running, and even babies are exposed to the harmful air from birth. He also pointed out that almost no one wore masks, despite scientific evidence showing that masks can significantly reduce exposure to pollutants.

Bryan Johnson Questions Why India Hasn’t Declared Air Pollution a National Emergency

The tech millionaire strongly criticised Indian leadership for not prioritising air pollution as a national crisis. He argued that improving air quality in India would have a greater impact on public health than curing all cancers. Johnson raised concerns about political and financial interests that may be preventing stricter air pollution control measures.

Expressing his disbelief, he said, “I am unsure why India's leaders do not make air quality a national emergency.” His statement has reignited debates about the government's role in tackling pollution, particularly in major cities where air quality levels frequently cross hazardous limits.

India vs America: Bryan Johnson Compares Air Pollution to Obesity Crisis

Upon returning to the U.S., Bryan Johnson had an eye-opening moment about what is normalised in different countries. While he found air pollution to be an ignored crisis in India, he observed that obesity is a major but overlooked issue in America. He noted that 42.4% of Americans are obese, yet it does not receive the same level of national emergency response.

Johnson pointed out that, just like air pollution in India, obesity in the U.S. is deeply rooted in systemic issues involving money, power, and interests. He questioned why American leaders have not taken urgent steps to address this growing health crisis.