Report says data centres may add to PFAS pollution pressures
Iain Hoey
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Data Centres and PFAS use
Data Centres are contributing to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances pollution through cooling systems, semiconductors and fire suppressants, according to analysis published by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute on 9 April 2026.
The article states that Data Centres host tens of thousands of servers that run 24/7 to support virtual networks, cloud storage and computing, with equipment that depends on PFAS-based materials.
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances are described as a group of more than 15,000 synthetic chemicals used in non-stick products, water-resistant materials and firefighting products.
The article says the carbon-fluorine bonds in PFAS are resistant to breaking down in the environment, leading to their classification as forever chemicals.
It adds that PFAS are present in air, soil, drinking water and the food chain, and that they can accumulate in the environment and in the body over time.
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute writes that Data Centres primarily use PFAS in server cooling systems and in clean agent fire suppression systems, with FM-200 and Novec 1230 identified as common examples.
The article says direct PFAS pollution from Data Centres is difficult to measure and likely limited because cooling systems generally operate as closed loops.
It also states that discarded microchips and other electronic equipment can release PFAS into the environment when they enter landfill.
Cooling systems and fire suppression
The article says water has historically been used as the main coolant in Data Centres, and that operators have been adopting alternative systems as 45% of facilities are located in water-stressed regions.
It identifies two-phase immersion cooling as a popular option because it is cost effective and highly energy efficient, adding that the technology uses carbon and fluorine.
These PFAS are said to break down into trifluoroacetic acid, which the article describes as a toxic chemical linked to reproductive health risks.
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute also says Data Centres are exposed to fire risk because of the heat produced by servers and the amount of electrical equipment on site.
It cites analysis of fire outbreaks at Data Centres since 2021 that identified causes including lithium-ion battery failure in semiconductors, water damage to electrical equipment and other equipment failures.
The article states that clean agent systems are typically used in place of water-based systems because they are non-conductive and residue-free, and because water can damage servers.
It adds that 3M announced in 2022 that it would stop producing PFAS, including Novec 1230, by the end of 2025, and that the company has since confirmed it has ended all PFAS manufacturing.
Regulation and costs
The article says regulation remains difficult because PFAS are used across everyday products and industrial applications, raising questions over where responsibility should sit.
Matt Dunn, a PFAS scientist at Tetra Tech, said: “Do you go after the user, or do you go after the manufacturer,”
“And understanding the difference there is very important.”
The article says many emerging technologies aimed at destroying PFAS are energy intensive and expensive, adding that this has raised debate over who should bear the cost.
It points to state-level action in Maine and Minnesota, including product restrictions and future bans affecting intentionally-added PFAS in some sectors.
The article also says there is no single direct federal route for PFAS regulation as of 2026, even though existing legislation provides several ways to address contaminants at different stages.
It adds that Congress has introduced measures including the PFAS Research and Development Reauthorization Act of 2025 and the Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2025, which it says could be applied to PFAS contamination from Data Centres.
The analysis presents PFAS use in Data Centres as part of a wider regulatory and operational issue linked to cooling systems, semiconductor production and fire suppression.
The article concludes with possible routes for future action including reporting standards, product bans and research into alternatives to PFAS.
