What Are Data Centers?

Data centers are specialized facilities designed to house servers and other digital infrastructure necessary for storing, processing, and transmitting vast amounts of information. They serve as the backbone of modern digital life: every email sent, movie streamed, or cloud-based application used relies on data centers operating continuously in the background.

These facilities are not small server rooms—they are often massive complexes containing thousands of servers, networking equipment, and storage systems. Because servers generate heat while operating, data centers must maintain optimal temperatures to prevent equipment failure. Effective temperature management is essential to maintain optimal temperatures, ensuring efficiency and reliability of operations. This requirement for continuous operation and strict environmental control makes data centers one of the most energy-intensive types of infrastructure in the modern economy. Increased energy usage in these facilities directly contributes to their environmental impact.

The scale of data centers is significant in the United States. The country hosts thousands of these facilities, many clustered near major metropolitan areas such as Northern Virginia, Dallas, and Chicago, where connectivity and power infrastructure are readily available. US data centers are responsible for a substantial portion of the electricity consumed nationwide, amplifying their environmental and resource impact. Collectively, U.S. data centers consume an estimated 1–1.5% of the nation’s total electricity—roughly equivalent to the energy use of several million households. As demand for digital services continues to rise, the number and size of data centers are expected to grow, highlighting their central role in the digital economy.

Why Do Data Centers Affect Air Quality?

Data centers can influence air quality both directly and indirectly, primarily through their energy demands and backup systems. Understanding these effects is crucial for assessing the environmental footprint of the digital infrastructure that underpins daily life.

Direct Emissions from Backup Generators

Most data centers rely on diesel-powered backup generators to ensure uninterrupted service during power outages. These generators emit nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and other pollutants that can degrade local air quality and pose health risks to nearby communities. The frequency and duration of generator use depend on the reliability of the local power grid and the center’s operational requirements.

To ensure uninterrupted operation during power outages, data centers often rely on backup diesel generators as a specific source of emissions. While these generators are typically used intermittently, they emit nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), particulate matter, and other pollutants when active. These emissions contribute to local air pollution, which can exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular conditions in nearby communities, increasing the overall health impact of data center operations.

Indirect Emissions from Electricity Use

The largest share of a data center’s environmental impact comes from the electricity required to power servers, cooling systems, and other infrastructure. In regions where electricity is generated primarily from fossil fuels such as coal or natural gas, this indirect energy use produces additional air pollutants and greenhouse gases. Electricity generation for data centers often relies on power generation from fossil fuel power plants, which are water-intensive and contribute significantly to air pollution, water consumption, and public health concerns.

Data centers consume enormous amounts of electricity, often supplied by local power grids. In regions where electricity is generated primarily from fossil fuels such as coal, gas power plants, or natural gas, this indirect energy use produces additional air pollutants and greenhouse gases. Even if a data center itself does not directly emit these pollutants, its energy consumption can drive increased emissions from power plants, contributing to regional air quality concerns.

As data centers expand and adopt more energy-intensive cooling and computing technologies, they require more energy, putting additional strain on grid capacity and increasing the need for sustainable energy solutions.

Water Use and Cooling Systems

Many data centers use water-based cooling systems, which can place additional demand on local water resources and indirectly contribute to energy-related emissions. These systems often consume large amounts of fresh water, raising environmental concerns, especially in drought-prone regions where water scarcity is a pressing issue.

Maintaining optimal operating temperatures for servers requires large-scale cooling infrastructure, which adds to overall energy consumption. Many data centers use water-based cooling systems, which can place additional demand on local water resources and indirectly contribute to energy-related emissions. As an alternative, immersion cooling—where servers are submerged in a dielectric fluid—can significantly reduce water consumption compared to traditional cooling methods. Heat generated by cooling equipment may also increase localized thermal stress.

The combined effect of direct emissions from backup generators and indirect emissions from electricity use means that data centers can have a significant environmental footprint. This includes increased greenhouse gas emissions, carbon emissions, and air quality issues, all of which have implications for climate change and public health.

Why Do AI Data Centers Use So Much Water?

AI data centers use water for one main reason: heat.

Every server inside a data center uses electricity. As that electricity moves through processors, memory, storage systems, networking equipment, and power systems, it creates heat. The more computing power a facility uses, the more heat it must remove to keep equipment running safely.

This has always been true for data centers, but AI has made the problem more intense. AI workloads often rely on dense clusters of graphics processing units, or GPUs, that run at high power levels for long periods of time. These chips are packed into server racks that can generate far more heat than traditional cloud computing equipment.

If that heat is not removed, servers can overheat, slow down, shut off, or fail. Cooling is not optional. It is one of the core systems that allows a data center to operate.

Water Helps Remove Heat

Water is commonly used because it can absorb and transfer heat efficiently. In many facilities, water is part of a larger cooling system that may include chillers, heat exchangers, pumps, pipes, cooling towers, or liquid cooling equipment.

The exact system varies by facility, but the basic goal is the same: move heat away from the servers and release it outside the building.

Some facilities use mostly air cooling. Others use evaporative cooling. Newer AI facilities may use direct-to-chip liquid cooling or closed-loop liquid systems. The amount of water used depends on the design, the climate, the equipment inside the facility, and the source of electricity used to power it.

Cooling Towers and Evaporative Cooling

Many large data centers use evaporative cooling because it can be more energy efficient than relying only on mechanical refrigeration.

In an evaporative cooling system, water helps carry heat away from the building. Some of that water evaporates as part of the cooling process. That evaporation removes heat, but it also means the facility must continually replace the lost water.

This is why some data centers can have large direct water needs, especially in hot weather or in regions where cooling systems operate for long periods of the year.

A typical data center may use hundreds of thousands of gallons of water per day, while very large hyperscale facilities can use millions of gallons per day depending on the cooling design, climate, and workload. These figures are not universal, but they help explain why communities are asking more questions before new projects are approved.

AI Uses More Power, Which Creates More Heat

AI data centers are different from older server farms because AI computing is highly energy intensive.

Large AI models require enormous numbers of calculations. To perform those calculations quickly, data centers use specialized chips such as GPUs and AI accelerators. These chips are often installed in dense racks designed to maximize computing power in a limited footprint.

That density is efficient from a computing standpoint, but it concentrates heat. More power in each rack means more heat in the same physical space. As AI workloads grow, cooling systems must work harder to keep equipment within safe operating temperatures.

This is one reason AI infrastructure is changing data center design. Traditional air cooling may not be enough for the highest-density AI systems. Many operators are now moving toward liquid cooling because liquid can remove heat more efficiently than air.

Direct Water Use vs. Indirect Water Use

When people talk about data center water use, they often focus only on water used at the facility. That is important, but it is not the whole picture.

Data centers can use water in two ways:

Direct water use is water used on site. This may include water for cooling towers, evaporative cooling systems, humidification, facility operations, restrooms, kitchens, landscaping, or fire protection.

Indirect water use is water used off site to generate the electricity that powers the data center. Many power plants use water for cooling, especially thermoelectric plants powered by natural gas, coal, or nuclear energy.

This distinction matters because a facility may report relatively low water use on site while still depending on electricity from power plants that consume water elsewhere. In some analyses, indirect water use from electricity generation can represent a large share of a data center’s total water footprint.

For communities, both forms of water use matter. Direct water use affects the local water system near the facility. Indirect water use may affect watersheds, rivers, reservoirs, or power plant communities somewhere else.

Why Location Matters

A data center’s water impact depends heavily on where it is built. A facility in a cool climate may be able to use outside air or dry cooling for more of the year. A facility in a hot, dry region may need more active cooling. A data center in a water-stressed region may create more concern than a similar facility in a water-rich area.

This is why proposed data centers in places such as Phoenix, parts of Texas, and other drought-prone regions often face more scrutiny. Even if a facility uses less water than agriculture or other major users, it can still create local concern if the water system is already under stress.

Water availability is not just about the total amount of water in a region. It also depends on timing, drought conditions, competing users, infrastructure capacity, water rights, and whether the facility uses drinking water, reclaimed water, groundwater, or another source.

Water Use Can Increase During Hot Weather

Data center cooling needs can rise during heat waves. When outdoor temperatures increase, cooling systems may need to work harder to keep servers within safe limits.

This can create a difficult overlap. Hot weather can increase cooling demand at the same time that communities are using more electricity for air conditioning and, in some regions, facing water restrictions or drought stress.

For AI data centers, this seasonal pressure can be especially important because the computing workload may run continuously. Unlike an office building that empties out at night, many data centers operate 24 hours a day.

Not All Cooling Systems Use Water the Same Way

Different cooling systems have different water and energy tradeoffs.

Air cooling uses fans and airflow to remove heat. It may use less water than evaporative systems, but it can require more electricity in some conditions.

Evaporative cooling uses water evaporation to remove heat. It can reduce electricity demand for cooling but consumes water.

Mechanical chillers use refrigeration equipment to cool the facility. They may reduce water use in some designs but can increase electricity demand.

Direct-to-chip liquid cooling sends liquid coolant closer to the hottest components, such as CPUs and GPUs. This can remove heat more efficiently than air cooling and may reduce the need for evaporative cooling.

Immersion cooling submerges equipment or components in a special cooling fluid. This technology is still less common, but it is being explored for high-density AI workloads.

Closed-loop cooling recirculates coolant instead of continuously consuming new water. Once filled, these systems can greatly reduce evaporation and ongoing water demand.

The key point is that water use is not fixed. It depends on design choices. Two data centers with the same computing capacity can have very different water footprints depending on their cooling systems and power sources.

Why Newer AI Data Centers May Use Less Water Than Older Designs

The growth of AI has increased concern about water use, but it has also pushed companies to redesign cooling systems.

Microsoft has said its next-generation data center designs use closed-loop, chip-level cooling that consumes no water for cooling during normal operations. The company says this approach avoids evaporation by recirculating coolant inside a sealed system.

Nvidia has also introduced newer liquid-cooled AI data center designs that are intended to reduce water demand by operating at higher coolant temperatures and using dry coolers instead of traditional evaporative cooling towers in some configurations.

These technologies are promising, but they do not eliminate every environmental concern. A facility may reduce direct water use while still requiring large amounts of electricity. If that electricity comes from power plants that consume water or burn fossil fuels, there may still be indirect water use and air pollution impacts.

Why Transparency Matters

One challenge for communities is that data center water use is not always easy to understand from public filings.

Residents may hear that a proposed facility will use “advanced cooling” or “water-efficient technology,” but those terms can mean different things. Important details include:

• How much water the facility is expected to use each day and each year
• Whether water use will rise during hot weather
• Whether the facility will use drinking water, reclaimed water, groundwater, or another source
• Whether the cooling system uses evaporative cooling
• Whether the system is closed-loop or open-loop
• How much electricity the facility will require
• What type of power plants will supply that electricity
• Whether backup generators or gas turbines will be used
• How water use will be reported after the facility opens

Clear reporting helps communities compare the promised benefits of a data center with the possible strain on local water, energy, and air quality.

Major Cities with Data Center Growth

Data centers are not unique to Memphis, many U.S. cities host large clusters of these facilities, each with its own environmental and community considerations. The rapid growth of data centers can place significant strain on local infrastructure, especially regarding water supply and energy grids.

• Northern Virginia (“Data Center Alley”): This region is home to the world’s largest concentration of data centers, hosting hundreds of facilities that serve both domestic and international digital needs. Its dense network highlights the significant energy demands and potential local impacts of large-scale data infrastructure. The ongoing construction of new data centers in this area continues to increase resource consumption and environmental concerns.
• Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas: The Dallas-Fort Worth area has seen rapid expansion of data centers, in part due to available land and robust infrastructure. The growth has spurred discussions about electricity use, cooling systems, and community impacts.
• Atlanta, Georgia: As a major East Coast hub, Atlanta hosts a variety of data centers supporting cloud computing and enterprise services. The city’s facilities illustrate how urban and suburban areas can balance industrial growth with environmental management.
• Chicago, Illinois: In the Midwest, Chicago serves as a key data center center, taking advantage of its central location and strong connectivity. The region’s mix of energy sources can influence the indirect air quality impacts of these facilities.
• Phoenix, Arizona: Phoenix has become a fast-growing hub for data centers, attracted by affordable land and abundant power. While expansion has been swift, considerations around energy use and local climate are increasingly part of planning discussions. The addition of new data centers in Phoenix is raising questions about long-term sustainability and resource allocation.

The energy and water use of data centers is immense—some facilities consume as much electricity and water as an entire city, putting additional pressure on local resources and infrastructure.

It is important to note that the environmental and air quality impacts of data centers vary depending on regional energy sources, local climate, and siting decisions. Communities near these facilities may experience different levels of exposure to emissions and other operational effects, making careful planning and oversight essential.g on regional energy sources, local climate, and siting decisions. Communities near these facilities may experience different levels of exposure to emissions and other operational effects, making careful planning and oversight essential.

Major U.S. Data Center Hubs Comparison

City / Region	Data Center Concentration	Energy Considerations / Notes	Community / Environmental Notes
Northern Virginia (“Data Center Alley”)	Highest in the world; hundreds of facilities	High electricity demand; mix of fossil fuels and renewables	Local grid strain; ongoing air quality and noise concerns
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX	Rapidly growing cluster	Significant power use; often gas- or coal-based generation	Expansion prompts discussions on cooling and local impact
Atlanta, GA	Major East Coast hub	Moderate energy intensity; increasing renewable adoption	Urban/suburban balance; careful siting important
Chicago, IL	Key Midwest center	Diverse energy mix (coal, gas, nuclear, renewables)	Impacts vary depending on neighborhood proximity
Phoenix, AZ	Fast-growing cluster	High demand in hot climate; often relies on large-scale cooling	Water and heat management critical; energy sourcing matters

Most data centers in these regions face similar challenges, including high energy and water consumption, which can lead to significant environmental and community impacts. Data center operators play a crucial role in implementing sustainable practices and managing these impacts through responsible energy sourcing, efficiency improvements, and transparent communication with local communities.

Communities Facing Proposed Data Centers

Data centers are expanding far beyond established hubs such as Northern Virginia, Dallas, Chicago, Phoenix, and Atlanta. As artificial intelligence increases the demand for computing power, more communities are now facing proposed data centers or large campuses that are still under review, delayed, opposed, or moving through local approval processes.

These proposed projects are raising questions about energy demand, water use, backup power systems, local air quality, noise, land use, and whether residents have enough information before projects move forward.

East Fishkill, New York

East Fishkill has become one of the clearest examples of how quickly local concern can change the future of a proposed data center. In June 2026, the town approved a three-year moratorium on large-scale data center development after residents and environmental groups raised concerns about a proposed 1-gigawatt campus.

The project reportedly would have involved roughly 1 million square feet of data center space. Local concerns focused on electricity demand, potential noise, pollution, land use, and whether existing zoning rules were adequate for a facility of that scale. The moratorium gives the town time to study the issue before allowing similar projects to advance.

For communities watching data center proposals elsewhere, East Fishkill is important because it shows that local governments are beginning to pause approvals until they better understand the long-term infrastructure and environmental impacts.

Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis has also seen growing public pushback over proposed data center development. In Warren Township, residents raised concerns about a proposed DC BLOX data center project, including power use, water consumption, noise, environmental impacts, and the possibility of disturbing contaminated soil at a brownfield site.

The Indianapolis proposal reflects a broader Midwest trend. Developers are looking at cities with available land, grid access, and central locations. However, residents are increasingly asking whether the economic benefits are worth the possible strain on local infrastructure and neighborhoods.

The project is especially relevant because it is not simply about one building. Residents have questioned whether large data centers are being reviewed with enough public input, especially when projects may require substantial electricity, cooling infrastructure, and long-term utility planning.

Nashville, Tennessee

In Nashville, a proposed DC BLOX data center near the Nashville Zoo has drawn significant opposition from residents, environmental groups, and zoo supporters. Critics have raised concerns about the project’s proximity to sensitive animal habitats, as well as its potential effects on stormwater, noise, light, and energy demand.

As of June 2026, DC BLOX has continued to pursue the project despite public opposition. The company has said the facility will comply with regulations related to light, sound, stormwater, and energy use. At the same time, Metro Nashville officials have been considering ways to limit or more carefully regulate future data center development. The Metro Council will hold a public hearing on the data center measure July 7. If you’d like to make a public comment about this topic at the meeting, review the details here.

This case highlights a growing concern in urban and suburban areas: even when a data center is not located directly inside a residential neighborhood, it may still affect nearby public spaces, wildlife areas, schools, homes, or community institutions.

Metro Atlanta and North Georgia

Metro Atlanta remains one of the fastest-growing data center markets in the country. Multiple large proposals have been filed in surrounding counties, including Bartow County and the Cartersville area. In June 2026, DataBank filed plans for a 200-megawatt data center campus outside Atlanta, with the site potentially going live in the early 2030s.

Earlier proposals in Bartow County have included massive multi-building campuses with billions of dollars in projected investment. These projects illustrate how the Atlanta region is becoming a major destination for hyperscale infrastructure.

However, water and power planning are central concerns. Metro Atlanta relies heavily on surface water and is vulnerable to drought conditions. Regional water planners have warned that data centers can use large amounts of water for cooling, which makes early coordination with utilities and local governments essential.

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix is already a major data center market, but proposed and future facilities are facing increased scrutiny because of the region’s heat and water stress. Cooling needs are higher in hot climates, and water availability is a long-term concern in areas dependent on the Colorado River system.

Phoenix has also become part of a broader global discussion about how cities should manage data center growth. In 2026, city leaders from Phoenix and other major global cities joined efforts to address the pressure that data centers place on electricity grids, water supplies, land use, and local communities.

Phoenix shows why location matters. A data center in a cool, water-rich region may have a different environmental profile than one built in a hot, drought-prone area. As more AI infrastructure is proposed in the Southwest, water use and cooling technology will likely remain major issues.

Northern Virginia and the Richmond Region

Northern Virginia remains the largest data center hub in the world, but the rapid pace of expansion has pushed concerns into other parts of the state. Virginia communities are now debating whether current rules are strong enough to manage the electricity, water, transmission, and land-use impacts of continued data center growth.

State-level discussions in 2026 have included data center tax policy, energy use, and whether localities should have more tools to manage growth. In the Richmond region, water infrastructure and regional planning have become part of the broader conversation about how to prepare for future demand.

Virginia is important because it shows what can happen after a data center market matures. Once a region becomes a major hub, the questions shift from whether to allow data centers to how many can be supported without overwhelming the grid, water systems, or nearby communities.

Memphis and the Southaven Area

Memphis is already home to xAI’s Colossus supercomputer facility, but the surrounding region continues to face questions about expanded AI infrastructure and related power needs. Community and environmental groups have raised concerns about gas turbines used to power xAI operations and the potential for additional air pollution in a region already facing ozone and respiratory health concerns.

The Memphis example is especially relevant to air quality because local concerns have focused not only on the data center itself, but also on the power generation used to support it. When a facility requires temporary turbines, backup generators, or new fossil fuel generation, the air pollution impact may extend beyond the building footprint.

Nearby communities along the Tennessee and Mississippi border have also raised concerns about proposed energy infrastructure tied to data center growth. This makes Memphis one of the clearest examples of how AI infrastructure, power supply, and local air quality are connected.

Texas Communities

Texas has become a major growth market for data centers because of its land availability, energy market, and business climate. However, state officials and residents are now asking more questions about water use and transparency.

In 2026, Texas lawmakers reviewed data center water reporting and found that most facilities had not responded to a required water-use survey. This lack of information has made it difficult for state planners to estimate how much water future data centers may require.

For Texas communities, the issue is not only whether data centers are coming. It is whether local and state agencies have enough information to plan for them. Without clear reporting on water use, electricity demand, and cooling methods, residents may not know the full impact until after projects are approved.

Why Proposed Data Centers Are Facing More Scrutiny

Community concerns vary by location, but several issues appear repeatedly:

• Electricity demand: Large AI data centers can require enormous amounts of power, sometimes comparable to the electricity use of a small city.
• Water use: Facilities that rely on evaporative cooling can place additional pressure on local water supplies.
• Air pollution: Backup generators, gas turbines, and fossil fuel power generation can contribute to nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and other pollutants.
• Noise: Cooling systems, generators, transformers, and construction activity can affect nearby neighborhoods.
• Land use: Large campuses can convert farmland, forested areas, or industrial brownfields into high-security utility-heavy sites.
• Transparency: Residents often want clearer information about water use, energy demand, emissions, and long-term community impacts before approvals are granted.

The debate is not simply whether data centers are necessary. Data centers support the digital services, cloud storage, streaming, artificial intelligence tools, and business systems used every day. The larger question is how these facilities should be planned, permitted, powered, and cooled so that communities are not left with the environmental and infrastructure costs.

As more proposed data centers move into local planning meetings, communities are likely to ask for stronger disclosure, better environmental review, cleaner energy sourcing, water-efficient cooling systems, and clearer limits on emissions from backup power.

Memphis Case Study: Environmental and Community Impacts of xAI’s Supercomputer

Memphis recently became the focus of attention with the construction of a large data center, designed to support cloud computing and other digital services for both regional and national users. As more planned data centers are considered for the area, concerns have grown about the potential environmental and public health impacts these new facilities may bring. The facility is substantial in size, with multiple server halls and backup power systems capable of maintaining continuous operation even during grid outages. While its technological role is significant, the presence of such a facility has raised questions about its potential effects on the surrounding community.

In 2024, Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, established a supercomputer facility named “Colossus” in the Boxtown neighborhood of South Memphis. As one of the host communities for this major infrastructure, the local population faces direct impacts from the facility. This facility, intended to power Musk’s AI chatbot Grok, has become a focal point for discussions on environmental justice and community health.

xAI Colossus Overview

Colossus is housed in a repurposed Electrolux factory and is reported to be the world’s largest supercomputer, utilizing approximately 100,000 Nvidia GPUs. As one of the largest AI data centers, Colossus is a key part of the region’s AI infrastructure, supporting the development and deployment of advanced artificial intelligence systems. The facility’s primary purpose is to handle the intensive computational workloads required for training and running large language models, which drive the need for more energy and extensive data center resources. To meet its substantial energy demands, estimated at 150 megawatts, enough to power about 100,000 homes, the facility initially relied on 35 methane-powered gas turbines.

Environmental Concerns with Colossus

Reported concerns center on several aspects of the facility’s operations. Diesel-powered backup generators, used to ensure uninterrupted service, can emit pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and formaldehyde, contributing to a 30–60% increase in smog levels in Memphis. These emissions are linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, raising alarms among health experts and environmental organizations. The facility’s reliance on electricity generated from fossil fuel sources, such as natural gas and coal, further exacerbates air pollution and environmental harm.

Additionally, the facility’s water usage is significant, with reports indicating a daily consumption of 1.5 million gallons of fresh water for cooling purposes. This raises concerns about the strain on local water resources, especially in areas already facing environmental challenges.

Memphis Response to Colossus

Residents of Boxtown, a predominantly Black and low-income community, have expressed concerns about the facility’s impact on their health and environment. Many report increased respiratory issues, including lung disease, and heightened anxiety due to the facility’s operations. Community leaders and organizations, including the NAACP and the Southern Environmental Law Center, have called for greater transparency and accountability from xAI and local authorities. Despite these concerns, the Shelby County Health Department issued an air permit for the facility in July 2025, allowing the operation of 15 gas turbines.

Protect Yourself from Air Pollution Near Data Centers

Air pollution from industrial facilities, traffic, and other sources can affect anyone’s health, but there are practical steps you can take to reduce exposure and protect yourself and your family.

1. Monitor Air Quality

• Use apps or websites such as AirNow or local air quality monitoring sites to stay updated on pollution levels.
• On days with high pollution, limit outdoor activities, especially vigorous exercise.

2. Improve Indoor Air Quality

• Keep windows and doors closed on days with poor air quality.
• Use HEPA air purifiers in bedrooms and common living areas to filter out particulate matter and allergens.
• Avoid burning candles, incense, or using gas stoves without ventilation, which can add indoor pollutants.

3. Wear Protective Gear

• On high pollution days, consider using a N95 or KN95 mask if you need to be outdoors. These masks can filter out fine particulate matter that regular cloth masks cannot.

4. Create Clean Air Zones

• If possible, designate a clean-air room in your home, equipped with a portable air purifier, to have a low-pollution space for vulnerable family members such as children or seniors.

5. Reduce Personal Contributions to Air Pollution

• Use public transportation, carpool, or switch to electric or hybrid vehicles to reduce emissions.
• Limit use of gas-powered lawn equipment, generators, or fireplaces.

6. Advocate and Stay Informed

• Engage with local community groups or environmental organizations to stay informed about local facilities and potential air quality concerns.
• Support policies that promote cleaner energy, better industrial practices, and stronger monitoring of emissions.

By combining these strategies, you can help protect your health and reduce exposure to air pollution, even in communities near industrial or high-energy facilities such as data centers.

When living near industrial facilities or in areas with poor air quality, investing in a reliable air purifier can significantly improve indoor air quality. Here are five air purifiers that effectively address pollutants like PM2.5, nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), and formaldehyde.

1. Coway Airmega ProX

• Best For: Comprehensive air purification in large spaces.
• Highlights: Offers advanced filtration with a high Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), making it suitable for large rooms and urban environments. Its multi-stage filtration system effectively reduces pollutants like PM2.5 and NOₓ.

2. Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max

• Best For: Large rooms and smart home integration.
• Highlights: Features a high CADR and smart sensors that adjust filtration based on real-time air quality. Its HEPASilent technology efficiently captures airborne particles and gases.

3. Levoit Core 300

• Best For: Budget-conscious consumers seeking effective filtration.
• Highlights: Compact design with a three-stage filtration system, including a True HEPA filter that captures 99.97% of airborne particles. Ideal for small to medium-sized rooms.

4. Alen BreatheSmart 75i

• Best For: Large open-concept living room and kitchen spaces.
• Highlights: Medical-grade H13 True HEPA filter, auto-adjusting smart sensor, and coverage up to 2,800 ft², making it suitable for large living areas or open floor plans.

5. Dyson Pure Cool TP09

• Best For: Style-conscious users who want purification plus a cooling fan in one unit.
• Highlights: Sealed HEPA and activated carbon filters, formaldehyde-destroying catalytic core, oscillating tower design, and app-enabled air quality insights.

Investing in a well-built air purifier is one of the most effective ways to reduce your exposure to harmful particles, especially if you live near busy roads, industrial facilities, or other sources of pollution. Whether you opt for the Coway Airmega ProX to handle large, open spaces, the smart and efficient Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max, the affordable Levoit Core 300 for bedrooms or offices, the powerful Alen BreatheSmart 75i for large open-concept living room and kitchens, or the sleek, fan-integrated Dyson Pure Cool TP09, each unit is designed to capture fine particles, allergens, and other airborne pollutants—helping create a cleaner, healthier indoor environment.

By combining the use of air purifiers with other protective measures—such as monitoring air quality, limiting outdoor exposure on high-pollution days, and improving indoor ventilation—you can significantly improve your indoor air environment and safeguard your health.

Environmental and Community Considerations

Research indicates that data centers can contribute to existing air pollution burdens in the areas where they are located. Emissions from diesel backup generators, high electricity use, and cooling systems can all add to local levels of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants. While these facilities are essential to modern digital life, their operational footprint can affect the surrounding environment.

A recent study from the University of California, Riverside, led by an associate professor in electrical and computer engineering and computing and mathematical sciences, examined the environmental and health impacts of data centers in California. The research highlights how the proliferation of data centers and AI infrastructure in already polluted areas can increase health risks for local communities.

Communities with fewer resources or limited access to healthcare may be more vulnerable if data centers are sited nearby. Studies in environmental justice have shown that low-income neighborhoods and communities of color often experience higher levels of exposure to industrial pollutants, and additional emissions from data centers may exacerbate these disparities.

Increasingly, researchers, advocacy groups, and local organizations are examining how the growth of data centers intersects with broader public health concerns. This includes exploring the cumulative impact of multiple facilities, understanding potential long-term effects, and identifying ways to reduce negative environmental outcomes while still supporting technological growth. Innovations in computer engineering are playing a key role in developing solutions to minimize these impacts.

To reduce environmental impact, adopting a sustainable model for data center development is crucial. This involves transitioning to clean energy and renewable energy sources, such as wind turbines, which can significantly lower emissions and water use compared to fossil fuel-based power generation.

Community Policy and Industry Response

Data centers operate within a framework of regulations designed to limit their environmental impact. Federal and local agencies have established rules for emissions from diesel generators and other equipment to help maintain air quality standards and protect public health. However, the environmental burden from increased energy consumption, air pollution, and water usage by data centers continues to raise concerns about long-term sustainability and public health costs, especially in regions already facing environmental and health disparities.

Many technology companies are also taking steps to reduce their environmental footprint. Firms such as Google, Microsoft, and Amazon have announced initiatives to increase the use of renewable energy, improve energy efficiency, and explore alternative cooling and backup power solutions. The rapid expansion of AI infrastructure is driving even greater demand for data centers, making these initiatives increasingly important.

Despite these efforts, challenges remain. Oversight and enforcement of regulations can vary by region, and communities often seek clearer communication about how facilities operate and what measures are in place to mitigate environmental impacts.

Community engagement is growing as well. Local organizations and residents are increasingly involved in discussions about data center siting, operations, and monitoring, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between industry, government, and the public.

What’s Next for Data Centers?

As data center demand continues to grow, policymakers, industry leaders, and communities are working to balance technological needs with environmental and public health considerations.

Transparency in operations, wider adoption of renewable energy, and improvements in technology, such as more efficient servers and cleaner backup power, can help minimize environmental impacts.

Ongoing research will be critical for understanding both the short-term and long-term effects of data center operations on air quality and community health. Studies tracking the same time period from 2019 to 2023 have shown increases in electricity consumption, water usage, and pollution emissions, with projections for continued growth up to 2028. By monitoring outcomes and sharing information, stakeholders can make informed decisions that support digital infrastructure while safeguarding the environment and public well-being.

Balancing the growth of digital infrastructure with environmental and public health considerations is increasingly important. Efforts such as using renewable energy, improving efficiency, and maintaining open communication with local communities can help reduce potential impacts. Communities are also facing significant health costs due to air pollution and related respiratory diseases, highlighting the economic burden that pollution from data centers can place on affected regions.

The situation in Memphis, along with experiences in other cities, underscores the need for careful planning, ongoing research, and collaboration among industry, policymakers, and residents. By taking these steps, it is possible to support technological advancement while promoting cleaner air and healthier communities.