Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath recently sparked a discussion on the relationship between real estate prices and air quality. He proposed that property values in highly polluted areas should be lower due to the associated health risks. During an episode of his brother Nikhil Kamath’s WTF podcast, Nithin shared a key realization inspired by biotech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, who is known for his radical age-reversal experiments.
Bryan Johnson Ends Podcast Abruptly Over Air Pollution Concerns
Bryan Johnson, who previously appeared on Nikhil Kamath’s podcast to discuss health and longevity, abruptly ended the conversation due to India’s severe air pollution. Wearing a face mask during the session, Johnson expressed concern over the air quality in the recording space. When asked about the severity of the pollution, he humorously responded:
“I can’t see you over there.”
Later, Johnson took to social media to explain his decision, stating that the room’s ventilation circulated outside air, rendering his air purifier ineffective.
When in India, I did end this podcast early due to the bad air quality. @nikhilkamathcio was a gracious host and we were having a great time. The problem was that the room we were in circulated outside air which made the air purifier I’d brought with me ineffective.
Inside,… https://t.co/xTkpW567Xv
— Bryan Johnson /dd (@bryan_johnson) February 3, 2025
Kamath’s Realization: Poor Air Quality Beyond Delhi
Initially, Nithin Kamath believed that Delhi was the only Indian city grappling with poor air quality, particularly in winter. However, his discussion with Bryan Johnson changed his perspective. He acknowledged that cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru also face severe air pollution, a realization reinforced by his recent experiences in these urban centers.
Should Property Prices Reflect Air Quality?
Following this experience, Kamath questioned whether real estate values should be linked to AQI levels. Sharing his thoughts on LinkedIn, he wrote:
“Shouldn’t property prices be linked to AQI? The higher the AQI, the lower the real estate prices should be. Living in such areas increases the risk of respiratory issues, cancer, and other health problems.”
While recording a podcast in Bandra, Mumbai, Kamath was surprised to find the AQI exceeding 160 in a sea-facing apartment. Similarly, his office in JP Nagar, Bengaluru, a relatively secluded area, registered an AQI of 120+. He remarked:
“If the AQI is this high in Bandra, imagine how bad it must be in more crowded areas. The same goes for Bengaluru, where ongoing construction and poor roads worsen the situation.”
Advocating for Clean Air as a Fundamental Right
Kamath emphasized that most regions in the US and Europe maintain AQI levels below 50, while prolonged exposure to pollution in India has serious health consequences. Expressing his concern on Instagram, he wrote:
“The biggest takeaway from my conversation with @bryan_johnson was realizing that air pollution isn’t just a Delhi problem, nor is it limited to winter.”
He also pointed out that while water quality can be improved with filters, air pollution remains a more complex challenge. Kamath urged researchers and healthcare institutions to collaborate with Zerodha’s Rainmatter foundation to study the long-term effects of air pollution on public health.
Public Reactions and Next Steps
The discussion has sparked debate online, with many supporting Kamath’s call for better environmental policies and urban planning. He continues to advocate for a “property price discount” in high-pollution areas, hoping it will push for urgent action on India’s air quality crisis.
What do you think about Nithin Kamath’s proposal? Should property prices be linked to air quality?