Updated 16:18 IST, February 4th 2025
Billionaire Bryan Johnson Walks Out Midway Through Nikhil Kamath's Podcast; Internet Is Divided
Johnson's remarks have reignited discussions on India’s worsening air quality and the lack of urgent action from authorities.

A tech entrepreneur who also built anti-aging products, Bryan Johnson recently shared his frustrating experience with air pollution in India, revealing that he had to end a podcast early due to poor air quality.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Johnson explained that despite bringing an air purifier and wearing an N95 mask, the polluted air still affected him, causing skin rashes, burning eyes, and throat irritation.
"When in India, I did end this podcast early due to the bad air quality. Nikhil Kamath 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." he wrote on X.
Johnson: India’s Experience
Johnson, who was in India in December 2023, recounted that the Air Quality Index (AQI) inside a luxury hotel was 130, even with an air purifier running. The PM2.5 level was 75 µg/m³, which is equivalent to smoking 3.4 cigarettes in 24 hours. Despite taking precautions, he struggled to breathe and eventually decided to end the podcast early.
During the conversation with Nikhil Kamath, Johnson, who appeared wearing a face mask, even joked, "I can't see you over there," highlighting the severity of the smog.
He said that he found it "confusing" when he saw people, including babies and children, moving around without a mask. "No one wore a mask which can significantly decrease exposure. It was so confusing."
Concerns Over India's Normalized Pollution
Johnson strongly criticized how air pollution has been normalized in India. He noted that people, including children and babies, were moving around without masks, despite the well-known health risks.
"It was confusing," he said, questioning why no national emergency has been declared despite the alarming pollution levels. "I don’t know what interests, money, and power keep things the way they are, but it’s really bad for the entire country."
Johnson: Calls for Action
In his post, Johnson urged Indians to take air pollution seriously and suggested measures like using air purifiers, wearing masks, and monitoring air quality regularly.
He emphasized that while individuals can take steps to protect themselves, the government must act decisively to tackle the crisis.
“The evidence shows that India would improve the health of its population more by cleaning up air quality than by curing all cancers” he mentioned in the post.
Johnson's remarks have reignited discussions on India’s worsening air quality and the lack of urgent action from authorities. With Delhi and other major cities frequently experiencing hazardous pollution levels, his concerns highlight the need for stronger policies and public awareness to combat the crisis.
Published 15:00 IST, February 4th 2025