The Dangers of #DataCenters
Elan Justice Pavlinich, PhD
Feb 27, 2026
"Data Centers are large facilities containing computer servers used for data storage, data analytics, generative #AI, and #StreamingServices. Data centers represent health risks for their neighbors. These risks are especially high from #hyperscale data centers powered by fossil fuels, such as those proposed for some parts of #Pennsylvania. Listed below are some of the top problems data centers impose on nearby communities.
#NoisePollution
Data centers cause noise pollution. First, the heavy equipment used to construct the facilities are loud. Then, once they are up and running, diesel generators plus heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems create a constant hum that can be audible to neighboring residents and #wildlife. Data centers generate noise levels that may exceed 90 decibels. Noise levels above 85 decibels are harmful to hearing.
#LightPollution
Data centers generate light pollution. Hyperscale facilities require all-night lighting that disrupts the natural (circadian) rhythms of the body, including melatonin production (the hormone that regulates sleep) and sleep-wake cycles. Light pollution is also disturbing migration patterns and #habitat development among #birds, #butterflies, #bats, #cats, and #turtles—to name only a handful.
The long-term impacts of both noise and light pollution include hearing loss, stress, insomnia, and decreased quality of life.
#AirPollution
Data centers, especially gas-powered data centers, emit significant pollutants, such as #NitrogenOxides, #methane, volatile organic compounds #VOCs , and fine particulate matter #PM. According to a September 2025 study, these #pollutants increase rates of respiratory diseases and cardiovascular conditions, and they elevate #cancer risks among nearby communities. A 2025 model indicates that U.S. data centers in 2030 could cause approximately 600,000 asthma symptom cases and 1,300 premature deaths, exceeding 1/3 of #asthma deaths in the U.S. each year, resulting in a public health burden of more than $20 billion.
#WaterWaste
Data centers require water to cool computer servers so they do not become too hot to function. A large data center will use up to 5 million gallons of water daily. Drawing from local water supplies, these facilities are slurping up resources that should be available to residents in #WaterScarce regions. In fact, data centers increase the threat of water insecurity, and thus dehydration and poor hygiene.
Nevertheless, a 2025 report by SourceMaterial and The Guardian found that #Google has seven active data centers in water-scarce areas of the U.S. and was planning to build six more. Prior to this, in 2023, the state of #Arizona revoked construction permits for new homes due to a scarcity of groundwater in #MaricopaCounty, where Meta has one #datacenter, #Microsoft has two data centers, and Google has one data center with a second in development.
Cost Increase for Home Energy Consumers
Data centers have typically not paid their #FairShare in utilities, particularly for #electricity consumption, and in those situations other consumers (including residential customers) have had to pay more than they otherwise would.
Utility companies identify data centers as large load customers, meaning that they require a lot more energy from the power grid. When a utility grid operator must add new infrastructure to accommodate growing populations or large load customers, rates may increase for all users in that region, despite attempts to regulate those increases or to allocate costs to the large load customer. In fact, utility grid operators will sometimes negotiate lower rates to incentivize large load customers to build in their territory, meaning that additional expenses must be covered by the other customer segments.
Last year, analysts estimated a 20% rate increase for #Pennsylvania households. The U.S. Energy Information Administration shows the average resident has been paying 37% more for electricity since 2020. U.S. energy demand is expected to grow 2.5% annually over the next decade. Therefore, it is likely that residents will see an increase in energy rates. These trends indicate data centers make #CostOfLiving more expensive.
In response to escalating concerns over energy costs, Pennsylvania Governor #JoshShapiro recently announced new standards that require data center developers to construct their own energy sources or pay for the upgrades to the grid, sparing local consumers the costs. It remains to be seen how, when, and for which facilities those standards will be enforced, but even if the average home is spared the additional financial costs of a #DataCenterBoom, there is still the price of numerous #EnvironmentalHazards listed above, especially if new data centers rely on #FrackedGas for power.
This data center boom and the subsequent demand for more energy presents an opportunity to protect public health and to invest in renewable energy as a driver of the economy, but we need to make that choice now. If data centers are encroaching on our region, they must be powered by cleaner, renewable sources of energy to avoid imposing additional health hazards associated with oil and gas development onto nearby communities."
Read more:
https://www.environmentalhealthproject.org/post/the-dangers-of-data-centers
#AISucks #AIDatacenters #Datacentres #NoDatacentres #NoDatacenters #AirIsLife #WaterIsLife #EnvironmentalRacism #LightPollution #BigOilAndGas
