Bryan Johnson, a well-known anti-ageing influencer, faced an unfortunate disruption during his first visit to India. While recording a podcast with Nikhil Kamath, the founder of Zerodha, Johnson was forced to leave midway due to the unbearable air quality in the room. Despite wearing an N95 mask and bringing an air purifier with him, Johnson was unable to endure the hazardous air conditions, which left a lasting impact on his skin, eyes, and throat.
The podcast, recorded at a five-star hotel, was set in a room equipped with an air purifier. However, Johnson shared his frustration on social media, revealing that the air purifier proved ineffective due to the outside air circulating into the room.
The room’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was around 130, with PM2.5 levels reaching 75 µg/m³ — a level equivalent to smoking 3.4 cigarettes over a 24-hour period. This experience led to a rash, burning sensations in his eyes and throat, and Johnson’s eventual decision to cut the recording short.
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India’s Air Pollution
Johnson’s comments on the state of air quality in India went beyond the podcast recording. He expressed his concern over how air pollution is often normalised in the country, with many individuals unaware of its detrimental effects. He highlighted that despite the well-documented negative health effects of air pollution, people in India continued to engage in outdoor activities without protective measures like masks.
“Air pollution has been so normalised in India that no one even notices anymore,” Johnson remarked, adding that exposure to such high levels of pollution was affecting his skin and overall well-being. He pointed out the alarming fact that children and infants, exposed to these conditions from birth, are particularly vulnerable to the long-term consequences of air pollution.
Johnson questioned why air quality issues are not being treated as a national emergency in India, despite the overwhelming evidence of its impact on public health. He stated that addressing air pollution would likely improve the health of the Indian population more effectively than curing all cancers. “I am unsure why India’s leaders do not make air quality a national emergency,” Johnson said, adding that political interests and power might be preventing necessary change.
Comparing Air Pollution and Obesity
Reflecting on his experience in India, Johnson also drew parallels between air pollution in India and obesity in the US, suggesting that both issues should be treated with similar urgency. After returning to the US, Johnson was struck by the pervasive issue of obesity, with 42.4% of Americans classified as obese. Johnson likened obesity in the US to the normalisation of air pollution in India, questioning why obesity, which he believes may be more damaging in the long term than air pollution, is not being treated as a national emergency.
“What interests, moneyand power keep things the way they are but are really bad for the entire country?” he asked, emphasising the need for both nations to prioritize public health by tackling these pressing issues.
Bryan Johnson highlights serious health risks associated with poor air quality and the need for urgent action to address pollution-related health concerns globally. While the issues may differ in scale and context between India and the US, the underlying message remains clear: leaders must prioritize the health of their citizens by making air quality and obesity critical national priorities.
