"Datacenters' electricity demands have been accused of delaying the US's transition to clean energy and requiring fossil fuel plants to stay online, while their high level of water consumption has also raised alarm. Now public health advocates fear another environmental problem could be linked to them Pfas forever chemical pollution. Big tech companies like Google, Microsoft and Amazon often need datacenters to store servers and networking equipment that process the world's digital traffic, and the artificial intelligence boom is driving demand for more facilities."
"Advocates are particularly concerned over the facilities' use of Pfas gas, or f-gas, which can be potent greenhouse gases, and may mean datacenters' climate impact is worse than previously thought. Other f-gases turn into a type of dangerous compound that is rapidly accumulating across the globe. No testing for Pfas air or water pollution has yet been done, and companies are not required to report the volume of chemicals they use or discharge."
Datacenters consume large amounts of electricity and water and may contribute to PFAS contamination and greenhouse-gas emissions. Big tech companies rely on datacenters to handle growing digital and AI traffic, increasing facility demand. Datacenters use PFAS and f-gases; some f-gases are potent greenhouse gases and can transform into persistent, dangerous compounds that accumulate globally. No systematic testing for PFAS in air or water near datacenters has been conducted, and companies are not required to report quantities used or discharged. The EPA announced a fast-tracked review of new PFAS and related chemicals used by datacenters, prompting calls for more reporting and study.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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