Our lives have been highly digitized, meaning that we don’t print photos or buy physical cassettes as much. Most of our data is now stored in the clouds, as are the digital tools we use daily. Still, there is physical storage for this, called the 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, driven by the shift toward AI and machine learning applications.

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 usedto 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 infrastructure for keeping the centers operating continuously. 

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 system. 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.

Communities near the facilities have expressed concern about the lack of clean water in their households and the potential health consequences. Moreover, 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.

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 these technologies are here to stay, measures are needed to mitigate the negative impacts of data centers on people and the planet. 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, similar awareness and high-level commitment are also needed from tech giants that build and operate these data centers to continuously assess these issues and provide concrete actions to tackle them with transparency to the public. 

All in all, reforming the digital aspect that has become ingrained in our lives is a complex yet necessary step toward more conscious and responsible tech use, which can only happen through collaboration among stakeholders, for the benefit of people and the planet.

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