Amsterdam: The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure is creating a new market for PFAS, commonly called “forever chemicals”, prompting warnings that the data centre boom could deepen an already widespread pollution problem.
Greenpeace raised the concern in a commentary, saying these substances feature in components ranging from chips and circuit boards to cable coatings, while chemical manufacturers are promoting their use in cooling systems. It called for companies to avoid PFAS and bear the cost of pollution they cause.
The warning follows research by Swedish chemicals watchdog ChemSec into major PFAS producers’ expansion plans. In a statement, the organisation said manufacturers were increasing production capacity in anticipation of demand from the AI industry. It urged regulators to prevent a new dependence on the substances.
PFAS, or per and polyfluoroalkyl substances, comprise thousands of manufactured chemicals. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, many break down extremely slowly and can accumulate in people, animals and the environment. They can enter water, soil and food through manufacturing and waste streams.
Cooling is a particular concern. Some immersion systems place electronic equipment in specialised liquids to transfer heat away from servers.
Certain systems use PFAS containing fluids, creating questions about chemical production, handling and disposal across their lifespan. This does not mean every data centre uses PFAS cooling.
ChemSec said cooling technologies without PFAS were already commercially available and dominated the market. It argued that reducing water consumption should not lock the industry into another persistent pollution problem.
Health evidence also requires precision. The EPA says exposure to certain PFAS has been associated with increased risks of some cancers, reduced immune responses and reproductive or developmental effects. Risks vary with the substance, exposure level and duration; the chemicals do not all have identical health profiles.
The campaigners’ warning concerns expanding chemical demand and future pollution risks. It does not establish a measured global total of PFAS pollution attributable to AI data centres.
