Data Centers 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 April 9, 2026.
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute outlines that Data Centers host tens of thousands of servers operating continuously to support virtual networks, cloud storage and computing, with equipment dependent on PFAS-based materials.
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances are a group of more than 15,000 synthetic chemicals used in non-stick products, water-resistant materials and firefighting products.
Their carbon-fluorine bonds resist environmental breakdown, which leads to their classification as forever chemicals.
These chemicals are present in air, soil, drinking water and the food chain, and accumulate in both the environment and the human body over time.
Data Centers use PFAS in server cooling systems and in clean agent fire suppression systems, including FM-200 and Novec 1230.
Direct PFAS releases from Data Centers are difficult to measure and are likely limited because cooling systems typically operate as closed loops.
Discarded microchips and other electronic equipment can release PFAS into the environment when they enter landfill.
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute explains that water has historically been the primary coolant in Data Centers, with operators adopting alternatives as 45% of facilities are located in water-stressed regions.
Two-phase immersion cooling is widely used due to cost efficiency and energy performance, and this system relies on carbon and fluorine.
These PFAS can break down into trifluoroacetic acid, a chemical linked to reproductive health risks.
Data Centers present fire risk due to high operating temperatures and large volumes of electrical equipment.
Analysis of fire incidents since 2021 identifies causes including lithium-ion battery failure in semiconductors, water damage to electrical equipment and other equipment failures.
Clean agent fire suppression systems are commonly used because they are non-conductive and leave no residue, whereas water-based systems can damage servers.
In 2022, 3M announced it would stop producing PFAS, including Novec 1230, by the end of 2025, and has since confirmed it has ended all PFAS manufacturing.
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute states that PFAS regulation remains complex due to widespread use across consumer and industrial products, which raises questions about responsibility for control measures.
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.”
Emerging technologies aimed at destroying PFAS require high energy input and carry high costs, which has led to debate over who should bear these costs.
State-level action includes measures in Maine and Minnesota that introduce restrictions and phased bans on intentionally-added PFAS in certain products.
There is no single comprehensive federal pathway for PFAS regulation as of 2026, although existing legislation provides mechanisms to address contamination at different stages.
Congress has introduced proposals including the PFAS Research and Development Reauthorization Act of 2025 and the Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2025, both of which could apply to PFAS contamination linked to Data Centers.
The analysis positions PFAS use in Data Centers within a broader regulatory and operational context involving cooling systems, semiconductor production and fire suppression.
