Bryan Johnson calls air pollution in India "A bigger threat than cancer," urges Immediate action

Bryan Johnson, a 45-year-old entrepreneur and longevity advocate, recently focused on India’s severe air pollution problem during his visit to the country. Known for his investments in health technology and age-reversal strategies, Johnson has now turned his attention to the urgent environmental threat of air pollution, which he believes poses a greater risk to public health than cancer. India is home to 14 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world, as reported in the World Air Quality Report 2023, and the air quality in many urban areas frequently exceeds safe levels set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to data from The Lancet Planetary Health, air pollution in India leads to an estimated 1.67 million premature deaths annually. The health conditions most closely associated with this pollution include chronic respiratory diseases, heart disease, and stroke, which are more prevalent than cancer in the country. In Delhi, the AQI often reaches hazardous levels, with particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations far exceeding WHO’s safe limits. Prolonged exposure to these pollutants has been shown to cause long-term damage to the lungs, heart, and nervous system, contributing to a high burden of disease in the population.

Johnson and his associate adopted a series of practical measures to mitigate their exposure to the poor air quality during their trip. They used portable air purifiers in hotel rooms and carried air quality monitoring devices to stay informed about the surrounding environment. "We carried around portable air filters everywhere we went to make sure we have clean air," Johnson’s associate explained. They also avoided areas with poor air quality, including the hotel gym, which was deemed to have "terrible air quality," opting to exercise in their rooms instead.

When traveling, they kept car windows closed and used the vehicle's internal air circulation system to reduce exposure to pollutants. Johnson emphasized the importance of wearing N95 masks when outdoors, particularly in cities with high levels of pollution. These masks can filter out fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that is commonly found in urban pollution. The use of air circulation systems in cars and hotels, along with N95 masks, forms a simple but effective strategy for minimizing exposure in polluted environments.

While these personal strategies can help mitigate individual exposure, experts stress the importance of systemic changes to address the root causes of pollution. The primary sources of air pollution in India include vehicular emissions, industrial output, agricultural burning, and construction dust. Experts recommend transitioning to cleaner sources of energy, implementing stricter emission regulations for industries and vehicles, and expanding public transportation networks to reduce reliance on personal vehicles. Increasing green cover in urban areas and promoting the use of electric vehicles (EVs) are also seen as essential steps in improving air quality.

The economic costs of air pollution in India are staggering. A 2019 report by the World Bank Group estimated that air pollution-related diseases cost the Indian economy approximately US$28.8 billion in lost productivity. In addition to the direct health costs, air pollution has long-term economic effects, including increased healthcare expenditures and decreased workforce participation due to illness. With air pollution contributing to a significant number of deaths and economic losses, experts agree that both individual actions and large-scale policy interventions are required to address the crisis and reduce its widespread impact on public health and the economy.