Air Quality, Science vs. Misinformation, and India’s Role in Sustainable Innovation

Bryan Johnson Walks Out – The Air Quality Confusion That Has Everyone Talking

Imagine sitting down for an interview, excited for a deep conversation—only to walk out because the air isn’t “clean” enough.

That’s exactly what happened when Bryan Johnson abruptly left Nikhil Kamath ,s podcast, citing concerns over an AQI of 120.

The internet erupted. Was he overreacting? Was the air truly that bad? Or—more importantly—do we even measure AQI correctly?

This incident has reignited the debate about air quality, health, and whether we actually understand the numbers we rely on.

AQI: The Misunderstood Number

Most people assume AQI (Air Quality Index) is a universal standard, but it’s not.

An AQI of 120 in the U.S. is not the same as 120 in India. In fact, comparing AQI across countries is like comparing apples to oranges because the formulas are different.

AQI is a weighted average of multiple pollutants, including:

? PM2.5 & PM10 – The tiny particles that sneak into your lungs.

? NO? (Nitrogen Dioxide) – Mostly from vehicle emissions.

? SO? (Sulfur Dioxide) – A byproduct of industrial activity.

? CO (Carbon Monoxide) – The silent, invisible killer.

? Ozone (O?) – Great in the stratosphere, terrible at ground level.

? VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) – Hazardous gases, often ignored in India’s AQI calculations.

Now, here’s the real problem:

? Most AQI readings come from satellites, but satellites don’t measure real-time air quality on the ground.

? India has far fewer AQI monitoring stations per square kilometer than developed nations. That means one sensor’s reading is often extrapolated for an entire district—like measuring the temperature in one neighborhood and assuming the whole city feels the same.

? Weather matters, but most AQI reports ignore humidity, wind, and temperature, all of which affect pollution levels.

So, when someone says AQI is 120, what are they actually measuring?

This is why Just Breathe? focuses on hyperlocal monitoring using AI-driven IoT sensors, providing real-time data instead of unreliable estimates.

The Hidden Link Between Humidity and PM2.5

Let’s talk about something almost no one discusses—the relationship between Relative Humidity (RH) and PM2.5. (Empirical Correlation)

Ever checked your AQI app after rain and noticed pollution levels spike? That’s because humidity makes fine particles swell, creating artificially high PM2.5 readings—even when pollution levels haven’t changed.

?? High humidity? PM2.5 levels rise artificially.

?? Low humidity? Particles stay airborne longer, making indoor air worse.

?? Most AQI devices don’t correct for this, giving misleading numbers.

So, when someone panics over AQI 120, are they factoring in humidity? Probably not.

Just Breathe? solves this problem using AI-driven calibration, adjusting readings based on real atmospheric conditions—giving you the truth, not just a number.

The UVC Air Purification Hype – A Marketing Gimmick?

Walk into any store selling air purifiers, and you’ll find UVC-based solutions claiming to “kill pollutants.” Sounds impressive, right? Except…

?? UVC only kills airborne pathogens but does not remove PM2.5, VOCs, or NO?—key pollutants affecting health. Worse, pathogens can regenerate instantly if conditions like moisture, warmth, and acidity persist, making the “99.9% kill rate” misleading, as the remaining 0.1% quickly restarts the cycle.

?? Prolonged UVC exposure damages indoor materials, releasing secondary pollutants into your home.

?? In commercial HVAC systems, UVC is used to clean cooling coils—but marketers stretch the truth to sell it as a total air purification solution.

So, instead of blindly following the UVC hype, India needs real solutions—bio-filtration, AI-powered monitoring, and data-driven interventions.

The Big Oxygen Myth – Do Trees Really Give Us All Our Oxygen?

There’s a huge misconception about oxygen production:

? “We need trees to breathe.”

? “Deforestation is killing our oxygen supply.”

Sounds logical. But it’s only half the truth.

?? 50-80% of Earth’s oxygen comes from marine phytoplankton and oceanic algae—not just trees.

??? If trees were the only source of oxygen, people living in deserts or remote islands would struggle to breathe—but they don’t.

?? Urban tree planting is great for shade and microclimate control, but it doesn’t significantly impact oxygen production or PM2.5 absorption.

The real problem isn’t oxygen—it’s pollution.

We need to stop chasing the wrong solutions and start focusing on cutting emissions, improving urban air circulation, and investing in real air purification technologies.

India Isn’t Catching Up – It’s Leading in Sustainability

Many assume India is behind the West in environmental action. The reality? India is doing things smarter.

?? Mass adoption of renewable energy (solar, wind) is happening at an unprecedented scale.

?? Cities are rapidly shifting toward EVs, AI-driven air monitoring, and green buildings.

?? Just Breathe? is designed for Indian conditions—focusing on localized, sustainable-first solutions instead of copying outdated Western models.

Reverse Aging & Clean Air – A Convenient Narrative?

The West is obsessed with longevity, anti-aging, and the idea that clean air = longer life. But let’s ask some tough questions:

?? If clean air was the key to longevity, how do people in highly polluted rural areas still live past 100?

?? Why do longevity studies ignore resilience, genetics, and lifestyle differences?

?? Is this another Western narrative that doesn’t apply globally?

Instead of blindly following longevity trends, India must lead its own research—tailored to our people, environment, and lifestyle.

Final Thought: Science Over Trends

?? Air quality, health, and climate aren’t universal problems with one-size-fits-all solutions.

?? Just as we wouldn’t apply the same diet plan to every person, we can’t blindly follow Western environmental policies.

?? India must focus on science-backed solutions, not borrowed ideas that don’t fit our reality.

That’s why Just Breathe? operates on three principles:

? Monitor – Real-time air quality tracking with AI-driven sensors.

? Measure – Adjusting AQI calculations for real environmental factors.

? Manage – Implementing sustainable, data-backed purification strategies.

If the goal is clean air for all, India must lead with science and sustainability—not trends.

Let’s Stop Borrowing, and Start Innovating.

?? The future of air quality in India doesn’t lie in outdated models, panic-driven reactions, or marketing gimmicks.

It lies in technology, science, and real solutions—built for India, by India.