# AI Data Centers’ Cooling Chemicals Raise PFAS Concerns
As artificial intelligence data centers continue to expand globally, the facilities are increasingly relying on new cooling chemicals that contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), raising environmental and health concerns. PFAS chemicals, known as “forever chemicals” for their persistence in the environment, present potential risks as data center cooling systems scale up to meet growing computational demands. The issue highlights a tension between the infrastructure needs of rapid AI development and environmental safety considerations.
