Tue Feb 04 06:36:15 UTC 2025: ## Tech Millionaire Abruptly Ends Podcast in India Due to Air Pollution
**NEW DELHI, INDIA** – Anti-aging research advocate and tech millionaire Bryan Johnson cut short a podcast recording in India due to severe air pollution, highlighting the country’s ongoing struggle with air quality. Johnson, 47, was recording an episode of Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath’s podcast “WTF” at a five-star hotel in an undisclosed location. Despite using an N95 mask and an air purifier, Johnson left mid-recording, citing burning eyes and throat, and a skin rash triggered by the poor air quality.
The indoor air quality index (AQI) reportedly reached 130, with PM2.5 levels equivalent to smoking 3.4 cigarettes over 24 hours. Johnson noted that even with the purifier, the room’s air circulation system drew in polluted outside air, rendering the device ineffective. He expressed surprise at the seemingly normalized acceptance of such poor air quality among the local population, observing people exercising and children playing outdoors without masks.
In a tweet, Johnson criticized the lack of a national emergency declaration regarding air pollution in India. He argued that addressing air quality would yield greater health benefits than cancer research, citing studies on the detrimental effects of air pollution. He drew a comparison to the obesity crisis in the US, noting that prolonged exposure to a problem can lead to a diminished perception of its severity.
This incident follows Johnson’s recent visit to Mumbai, during which he shared tips on mitigating air pollution and advocated for aggressive action to combat the issue. The news comes as the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) recently revoked Stage 3 of its Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi, indicating an improvement in the city’s AQI. However, Johnson’s experience underscores the ongoing challenge posed by air pollution across India.
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