The impact of air pollution on health and well-being has been a topic of global concern for years. Recently, this issue took center stage when US millionaire and anti-aging entrepreneur Bryan Johnson walked out of Nikhil Kamath’s podcast, “WTF is,” citing India’s poor air quality as the reason.
The incident sparked widespread discussion about the severity of air pollution in Indian cities and the extent to which it affects daily life. While Kamath, the co-founder of Zerodha, is known for engaging his guests in intellectually stimulating conversations, Johnson’s abrupt departure highlighted the growing divide in how different parts of the world perceive and respond to environmental hazards.
Bryan Johnson’s Experience with Air Pollution in India
Bryan Johnson, a well-known entrepreneur and longevity enthusiast, was invited to Kamath’s podcast to discuss health, wellness, and the future of longevity. Along with him, other guests, including Prashanth Prakash, Founding Partner of Accel Partners, and Jitendra Chouksey, founder of FITTR, joined the conversation.
Kamath’s brother, Nithin Kamath, the co-founder and CEO of Zerodha, along with his wife, Seema Kamath, also participated in the episode. The discussion was intended to explore innovations in health and well-being, but Johnson’s growing discomfort with the air quality in India became an unexpected focal point.
On the third day of his visit to India, Johnson began experiencing health issues, including a rash and throat irritation. He soon realized that the room where the podcast was being recorded circulated outside air, making the air purifier he had brought with him ineffective.
Despite Kamath being a gracious host, Johnson decided to leave the podcast midway. He later explained his decision in a detailed social media post, highlighting how normalized air pollution has become in India and how its long-term effects on health are often overlooked.
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His observations about people continuing their daily activities—running outdoors, exposing children to polluted air, and not wearing masks—left him perplexed.
Bryan Johnson (@bryan_johnson) is one of the most talked about entrepreneurs globally because of his work on longevity and health. He visited India for the first time to participate in a podcast for Nikhil Kamath (@nikhilkamathcio)
— Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad) February 4, 2025
Johnson was in Mumbai for this podcast and his… pic.twitter.com/WPG5qMmKm6
He pointed out that research indicates improving air quality would have a greater impact on public health than curing all cancers. According to Johnson, people in India have become so accustomed to air pollution that they no longer acknowledge its harmful effects, despite the extensive scientific evidence proving its dangers.
The Broader Conversation on Air Pollution in India
India has some of the most polluted cities in the world, with air quality often reaching hazardous levels, particularly in urban centers like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, crop burning, and construction dust contribute to the deteriorating air quality.
Studies have shown that long-term exposure to such pollution increases the risk of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and reduced life expectancy. However, despite these alarming findings, air pollution remains an issue that many in India have learned to live with rather than actively fight against.
Johnson’s reaction to the pollution is not an isolated incident. Many foreign visitors to India report experiencing discomfort, breathing difficulties, and other health issues due to the air quality.
In contrast, locals seem to have adapted to it, either by ignoring the problem or taking minimal precautions, such as using air purifiers at home. This normalization of pollution, which Johnson found confusing, is deeply rooted in the challenges of addressing environmental issues in a developing country.
India’s rapid economic growth and urbanization have made it difficult to implement strict environmental regulations without affecting industries and livelihoods.
While the government has taken steps such as enforcing emission norms, banning single-use plastics, and promoting electric vehicles, these measures have not been sufficient to bring about a significant change in air quality. The issue remains complex, requiring not just policy changes but also a shift in public awareness and behavior.
Johnson’s comments ignited a debate on social media, with some agreeing that India’s air pollution problem is dangerously underestimated, while others criticized his remarks as an overreaction. Some users pointed out that developed countries like the United States have their own health crises, such as obesity, which Johnson himself mentioned in his post.
While he acknowledged that air pollution in India was shocking, he also stated that obesity in America was a bigger long-term threat, affecting 42.4% of the population.
Health vs. Adaptation: The Global Perspective on Environmental Challenges
Johnson’s experience raises an important question: why do different societies react so differently to environmental challenges? While air pollution in India is a well-documented crisis, obesity and lifestyle diseases in the United States are equally concerning. Both issues stem from long-term neglect, normalization, and an unwillingness to implement large-scale systemic changes.
In India, air pollution is a persistent issue, but it is often overshadowed by other pressing concerns such as poverty, unemployment, and economic development. Unlike in Western countries, where environmental concerns are widely discussed and debated, in India, they are often secondary to immediate survival needs.
People continue their daily routines despite hazardous air quality because they feel they have little choice. The lack of strong enforcement of pollution control laws and the slow pace of change add to this feeling of helplessness.
In contrast, the obesity epidemic in the United States is largely a result of lifestyle choices, unhealthy diets, and sedentary habits. While obesity-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease have reached alarming levels, they are not as immediately visible as air pollution.
The difference is that while air pollution affects everyone in a city regardless of their lifestyle, obesity is often seen as an individual issue rather than a systemic one.
Johnson’s observations suggest that societies tend to overlook slow-building health crises until they reach an extreme point. While India struggles with air pollution, the United States is battling obesity and its associated health risks. Both problems require urgent attention, but the response to each varies based on societal norms, economic conditions, and political will.
Bryan Johnson’s decision to leave Nikhil Kamath’s podcast midway due to poor air quality has sparked an important conversation about environmental issues in India. His experience sheds light on how normalized air pollution has become and how its long-term health effects are often ignored.
While his remarks received mixed reactions, they serve as a reminder that environmental hazards should not be overlooked simply because they have become a part of daily life.
The debate also highlights the stark differences in how different parts of the world perceive and respond to public health challenges.
While India struggles with air pollution, the United States faces an obesity epidemic, both of which have severe long-term consequences. Johnson’s comparison of these two issues suggests that people tend to tolerate slow-moving health crises until they become unavoidable.
The real question is whether India can take significant steps to improve air quality before it leads to irreversible damage. Solutions such as stricter emissions regulations, better urban planning, and increased public awareness could help combat pollution. However, it will require not just government action but also a collective effort from citizens to demand cleaner air.
Ultimately, Johnson’s exit from the podcast is a wake-up call, not just for India but for all nations facing environmental and public health crises. His experience underscores the urgent need for change and the importance of recognizing that just because an issue has been normalized does not mean it should be ignored.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏