Brian Johnson’s 5 shocking revelations on India’s air pollution
Tech entrepreneur Brian Johnson, known for his extreme longevity experiments, made headlines when he abruptly ended a podcast with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath. His reason? Poor air quality that generated immediate health reactions. Here are five shocking revelations from his experience in India.

1. Air Quality Worse Than Expected
During his trip, Brian Johnson recorded an episode for Nikhil Kamath’s podcast “WTF” in a five-star hotel equipped with an air purifier. However, the room’s air quality index (AQI) reached 130, with PM2.5 levels of 75 µg/m³ – the equivalent of smoking 3.4 cigarettes a day. Despite wearing an N95 mask, he couldn’t stand the air, which forced him to walk out of the recording.
2. Health Impact Within Days
Brian Johnson told X that he developed a skin rash as a result of the pollution, as well as irritation in his eyes and throat, after only three days in India. He explained how common air pollution is in India, saying that people, including children, were going out without masks despite the harmful air quality.
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
3. “Worse Than Cancer”
Citing scientific studies, Brian Johnson argued that improving India’s air quality would have a greater impact on public health than curing all cancers. He questioned why India’s leadership had not declared air pollution a national emergency despite overwhelming evidence of its adverse effects.
4. A Wake-Up Call for Urban Dwellers
During the podcast, Brian Johnson warned that air pollution is not just an environmental problem but a serious public health crisis. He compared the effects of breathing Mumbai’s air to smoking 10 cigarettes a day. His comments sparked discussions about the need for stricter emissions regulations and better urban planning.
5. A Perspective Shift on Global Issues
After returning to the US, Brian Johnson realized how different crises are considered normal in different parts of the world. India has a silent health crisis due to air pollution, while the US is struggling with obesity, which affects 42.4% of Americans. He suggests that both issues need urgent attention, but are largely ignored.
Conclusion
Brian Johnson’s experience has reignited the debate on air pollution in India. His concerns highlight the urgent need to implement technology-driven solutions, policy changes and public awareness campaigns. With pollution levels worsening, the question remains: will India take this as a warning or let a preventable health crisis take its course?
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