Tech Millionaire’s Podcast Exit Sparks Air Quality Debate
Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath shared a surprising incident from his brother Nikhil Kamath’s podcast with tech millionaire Bryan Johnson. Johnson, known for his anti-aging research, left the podcast midway due to poor air quality in Mumbai, even with an air purifier. This incident sparked a discussion about India’s air quality problem.
Mumbai’s Air Quality Raises Concerns
Kamath revealed that the air quality index (AQI) in the sea-facing Bandra apartment where they recorded the podcast was over 160. He expressed concern about the even higher AQI levels in more crowded areas of Mumbai. This [[incident]] challenged his previous belief that Delhi was the only Indian city with an air quality problem, primarily in winter.
Bengaluru’s Air Pollution Not Spared
Further investigation revealed that Bengaluru also faces air quality challenges. Kamath recorded an AQI of over 120 in his office located in a quieter part of the city. He pointed out that ongoing construction and poor roads contribute to Bengaluru’s air pollution.
Comparison with Global Standards
Kamath compared India’s air quality with that of the US and Europe, where most cities have an AQI below 50. He highlighted the long-term health risks associated with poor air quality, including lung damage, cardiovascular problems, weakened immunity, and increased cancer risk. He stressed that everyone deserves clean air, and we shouldn’t accept breathing low-quality air as a norm.
Property Prices and Air Quality
Kamath proposed a thought-provoking idea: linking property prices to AQI. He suggested that areas with higher AQI should have lower real estate prices, reflecting the increased health risks associated with living in such areas. He mentioned respiratory ailments and cancer as potential consequences of prolonged exposure to polluted air.
Tech Millionaire’s Perspective
Johnson, despite wearing an N95 mask and using an air purifier, couldn’t tolerate the air quality and left the podcast midway. The AQI was around 120 at the time. He criticized the normalization of air pollution in India and expressed concern about its health effects. He also questioned why Indian leaders haven’t declared it a national emergency. Johnson drew a comparison with the US, where obesity is a normalized health crisis, much like air pollution in India.