4 February, 2025; Tech millionaire Bryan Johnson, known for his anti-ageing research, abruptly left a podcast recording with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, citing poor air quality. Johnson claimed the pollution caused his “skin to break out in a rash” and left his “eyes and throat burning.”
During his recent visit to India, the 47-year-old recorded an episode for Kamath’s podcast “WTF” at a five-star hotel equipped with an air purifier. However, despite wearing an N95 mask, he left midway, unable to tolerate the air quality in the room, which had an AQI of approximately 120. At one point during the discussion, Johnson remarked, “I can’t see you over there,” when asked about India’s air quality.
Confirming the incident on X, Johnson stated, “When in India, I did end this podcast early due to the bad air quality.”
While praising Kamath as a “gracious host,” he explained that the room was circulating outside air, rendering the air purifier ineffective.
By the time he left, Johnson noted that the indoor AQI had risen to 130, with PM2.5 levels at 75 micrograms per cubic meter—equivalent to smoking 3.4 cigarettes over 24 hours. He added that after just three days in India, the pollution had caused a rash, along with persistent eye and throat irritation.
