Data centers are swapping water for forever chemicals to keep AI cool
A new report indicates that major chemical producers are expanding PFAS production to meet rising demand from the AI data center industry for heat management. This shift represents a trade-off where facilities are replacing water-based cooling systems with fluorinated chemicals to reduce water usage, despite the environmental risks associated with these persistent substances. The expansion is driven by the rapid growth of data center construction, which has seen a significant increase in private investment and facility development over the last decade.
- ▪ChemSec found that major producers like Daikin, Arkema, and Chemours are increasing PFAS capacity due to demand from semiconductor and data center industries.
- ▪Data center facilities accounted for nearly 46% of private construction last year, up from less than 5% a decade ago, with spending rising from $1.8 billion in 2014 to $41.1 billion recently.
- ▪PFAS are used in newer cooling systems to handle heat from AI equipment, serving as an alternative to water-intensive cooling methods.
- ▪Environmental organizations have urged the EPA to reject Chemours' application for a new PFAS chemical, citing insufficient toxicological evidence and potential health risks.
- ▪PFAS were detected in the blood of 97% of Americans according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, highlighting widespread exposure to these persistent chemicals.
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The midterms are six weeks away and Republicans are walking a fine line between meeting constituents in opposition to data center growth and agreeing with the president who continues to advocate for them. Now there seems to be another wrinkle to the ongoing data center backlash: the release of “forever chemicals” into the air. Recommended Video A new report from chemical watchdog ChemSec found that most of the world’s biggest PFAS producers are expanding their capacity thanks to AI infrastructure. PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” are being used to handle the enormous amounts of heat generated from data center equipment.
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