Negative Effects Of AI Data Centers On Human Health

An extremely concerning aspect of Project Tango…

AI Data Centers can have negative effects on human health, which we will explore more below. Project Tango in particular is proposed to be built within 1000 feet of Saddle View Elementary School and within close proximity to at least 20 public, private, charter, and early-learning schools.

What makes them so dangerous?

There are multiple types of pollutants that come from AI Data Centers. Toxic air pollution, noise pollution, and water pollution.

Air Pollution

Nitrogen oxides (NOx), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are the main air pollutants that come from AI Data Centers. These are produced by cooling systems, back up diesel generators, and accidental issues such as battery fires. AI Data Centers use diesel generators as a back up power source to keep their operations running 24/7. They get tested once per month and those tests will likely happen during school hours. Your children will breathe in fine particulate matter from diesel generators during recess.

Fine Particulate Matter can travel up to 100 miles through the air.

1000 feet IS NOT a safe distance from an elementary school.

Effects of exposure to fine particulate matter:

  • Nonfatal heart attacks

  • Irregular heartbeat

  • Aggravated asthma

  • Decreased lung function

  • Improper lung development in children

  • Increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing or difficulty breathing.

  • Premature death in people with heart or lung disease

  • Cognitive and attention impacts due to constant inhalation of pollutants

    (EPA Website)

“As an example, the scientists calculated the emissions from training a large language model, or LLM, at the scale of Meta’s Llama-3.1, an advanced open-weight LLM released by the parent company of Facebook in July to compete with leading proprietary models like OpenAI’s GPT-4. The researchers found that generating the electricity needed to train this model produced an air pollution equivalent of more than 10,000 round trips by car between Los Angeles and New York City.”
— David Danelski, University of California - Riverside

How many people are affected within a 10 mile radius?

Schools: 40

Churches: 15

Residents: approx 130,000

Noise Pollution

WARNING: AI DATA CENTERS ARE LOUD

These structures produce an immense amount of heat and must be continuously cooled through different cooling methods. These processes are loud and create a 24/7 low hum or buzzing noise that can be heard by any residents living nearby, in classrooms, in churches, and businesses. Relaxation, concentration, and focus become a thing of the past as your ears and brain are constantly assaulted by the hum of cooling machines. This can also disturb wildlife, migration patterns, and breeding practices of our natural species that call these lands home.

Water Pollution

Did you know? The Acreage, the neighborhood North East of proposed Project Tango, was confirmed as a pediatric brain cancer cluster in 2009? This was due to speculation that Pratt & Whitney mishandled radioactive material and contaminated air, soil, and groundwater. They were never proven guilty in a court of law, but theories still circulate.

If our groundwater was already once potentially poisoned, why risk it again? It’s not just for drinking…groundwater is used for watering plants, sprinkler systems, washing cars, filling pools and hot tubs, washing horses and pets, and so much more.

“The wastewater discharged from data centers can contain various contaminants, including chemicals used in cooling systems, heavy metals, and other pollutants. If not properly treated, this wastewater can degrade the quality of local water bodies, posing risks to ecosystems and human health.The influx of wastewater from data centers can overwhelm existing wastewater treatment facilities, which often operate at or near capacity. This increased load can lead to inefficiencies and potential failures in the treatment process – especially when existing wastewater treatment facilities are under stress. Added pressure on strained systems will inevitably result in inadequately treated water being discharged into the surrounding community or environment if treatment centers aren’t adequately upgraded in time to manage the influx.” Source