The biggest takeaway for me after meeting @bryan_johnson was debunking the myth I once believed: that only Delhi in India has an air quality problem—and that it occurs only in winter.
We recorded @nikhilkamathcio’s (link in the following tweet) WTF podcast in a sea-facing apartment in Bandra, Mumbai, and the AQI was a whopping 160+. If the AQI was this high in Bandra, just imagine the levels in the more crowded parts of the town.
Later, I got an AQI meter for our office in J.P. Nagar—a quiet corner of Bengaluru—and was shocked to see it reading 120+. Again, imagine how much worse it might be in the busier parts of the city. What makes matters trickier in Bengaluru is the dust from the ongoing construction boom and poor roads.
Most places in the US and Europe have AQIs below 50, which is considered good. An AQI of 50 to 100 is moderate, 100 to 150 is poor, 150 to 200 is unhealthy, 200 to 250 is severe, and above 250 is hazardous.
Long-term exposure to poor air quality can cause lung damage, cardiovascular problems, compromised immunity, an increased risk of cancer, and more—all of which ultimately affect quality of life. In Delhi, for example, the AQI can reach 500 or more in winter and 200+ in summer.
This has bothered me ever since. Everyone should have equal access to clean air. With water, you can use a filter to ensure decent quality. But what about air? We seem to have gotten used to the fact that air pollution is just a part of life, and we’re okay with breathing low-quality air—even though clean air is a fundamental right granted to citizens by the Constitution.
So, shouldn’t property prices be linked to AQI? The higher the AQI, the lower the real estate prices should be. That means if an area has poor air quality, property prices and rents should be lower, and vice versa. After all, by living in such areas, you are accepting higher odds of respiratory ailments, cancer, etc.
There also doesn’t seem to be much research on this in India. If you are a researcher thinking about or working on this topic, we’d love to connect with you. Perhaps some large hospital chains would be willing to provide anonymized data sets on health issues for researchers to work on.
Please let us know if you are working on AQI, its impact on both personal and public health, or if you intend to explore it further. We at @RainmatterOrg would like to collaborate. We are trying to improve quality of life, and air quality plays a significant role in many cities across the country. 1/3
@DoctorAjayita I frequently stay at this hotel and have a different perspective. I believe the hotel prioritizes hygiene and cleanliness. While the rooms and washrooms could benefit from upgrades, I have consistently found the cleanliness and hygiene to be impeccable.
This is the full Official Olympic Anthem for the Indian Contingent sung by @_MohitChauhan which encompasses the spirit of an athlete's life.
As our contingent is in the final stage of preparation for #Tokyo2020 , let's unite & support them to do their best!
#Cheer4India
And on a Friday, when you’ve spent a whole week using ‘decision trees’ for making many critical choices, there’s no harm in using that tool for one last, momentous decision…
This weekend @JhaSanjay is sharing a lesser known chapter from his life at #BanteringBlues Will he talk politics or corporate, or would it be something entirely different? Who knows! Click to join https://t.co/URXKkL1cod with @deepakceolounge & @HariGovindNair
Completely agree with @parmeshs send homophobia back to the British, and get Kohinoor to its rightful place. @IndiaCultureLab's head demolishes unconscious biases against LGBTQ+ ingrained in our society. https://t.co/86SPOJgY8S with @deepakceolounge@HariGovindNair
Lifestyle transformation specialist @LukeCoutinho17 is getting ready to share a story at the #BanteringBlues. Click to block your seat: https://t.co/J77npxuLGS
It's always nice to pick a few new skills, and @mohitjo from @HavasMediaIN is all set to kick off the CEO Masterclass with the focus on what all changes your marketing desperately needs. Click to know more: https://t.co/YGMthU1UzU With @deepakceolounge & @HariGovindNair
Bantering with your Blues? Is that even possible? Let's find out what legendary super chef @SanjeevKapoor has to say on this. Join him on 9th Sep for a story he's never ever served to date. Block your spot https://t.co/UQ15kpwVKD with @deepakceolounge@HariGovindNair@wonderchef