Our lives are increasingly digitized, meaning that we don’t print photos or buy physical albums as much anymore. Most of our data is now stored in the clouds, as are the digital tools we use daily. Yet, there is still physical storage for all of that: data centers. As demand soars, these centers have become increasingly scrutinized for their impacts and associated risks, including public health implications.

The Burgeoning Data Centers

Data centers power modern society by providing the foundation and storage for cloud services, video streaming, machine learning, and other digital infrastructures we use daily. Demand for the facility grew steadily in the 2010s and experienced a global surge in the 2020s. The shift toward AI and machine learning applications is a key driver.

Unsurprisingly, large data centers consume significant amounts of energy. The International Energy Agency estimated that these centers consumed approximately 415 terawatt-hours (TWh), equivalent to 1.5% of global electricity consumption in 2024. By 2030, electricity demand is projected to double to approximately 945 TWh.

Risks of Air Pollution

Given the extensive resource demands, the proliferation of the centers has been under the spotlight for its environmental impacts. Despite the growing share of renewable energy, coal still accounts for the largest share (30%) of the global electricity supply used to meet data center demand. In the United States, which hosts the largest number of data centers globally, surging demand may delay the clean energy transition. 

Consequently, these impacts are also increasingly linked to public health risks. For one, a data center can cause substantial air degradation across its lifecycle, from manufacturing to operation. This includes PM 2.5, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide emissions, which are key air pollutants detrimental to human health.

A study by UC Riverside and Caltech scientists estimates that total scope-1 and scope-2 pollutants of data centers in the U.S could cause 600,000 asthma symptom cases and 1,300 premature deaths in 2028. Pollutants are emitted by on-site diesel generators and power plants that supply electricity, both of which are essential infrastructures for keeping the centers operating continuously. 

Moreover, these risks disproportionately affect communities in low-income areas, whose health costs can amount to 200 times more than those of other households.

Water and Noise: Other Possible Issues

Furthermore, the centers use massive amounts of water for their cooling systems. Estimation shows that a 1 megawatt (MW) data center can use up to 25.5 million liters of water per year for cooling alone. This equals the daily water consumption of around 300,000 people.

This extensive water use occurs against the backdrop of global water scarcity. In the U.S., Bloomberg News reported that about two-thirds of new data centers—built or under development since 2022—are located in areas experiencing high water stress. Communities near the facilities have expressed concern about the lack of clean water in their households and the potential health consequences.

Then, there is the issue of noise pollution. The previously mentioned generators and cooling systems contribute to noise pollution, which, at certain levels, can be harmful to hearing.

Recognizing and Addressing Issues

Given that digital technologies are here to stay, measures are necessary to mitigate the negative impacts. As governments globally have begun to craft regulations and frameworks governing the use of AI, it is crucial that they recognize existing and potential public health risks and environmental impacts, and detail measures to address these issues.

Furthermore, governments and users must demand similar awareness and high-level commitment from tech giants that build and operate these data centers. Tech companies must continuously assess these issues and develop concrete solutions to tackle them with transparency to the public. 

A more conscious and responsible tech use and development is necessary, complex, yet possible. Nonetheless, it can only happen through collaboration among stakeholders, for the benefit of people and the planet.

Editor: Nazalea Kusuma

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