Seventeen environmental groups have filed formal comments with the EPA opposing Chemours' bid to fast-track approval of a new per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) for datacenter cooling systems. The coalition argues that Chemours has manipulated scientific data to minimize the compound's toxicity and climate impact.
PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals that accumulate in human tissue and the environment. They resist breakdown in soil and water, earning the designation "forever chemicals." Chemours, a spinoff of DuPont, has sought expedited EPA review under the Toxic Substances Control Act to commercialize the cooling fluid for data infrastructure.
The environmental groups contend that Chemours' toxicology studies underestimated health hazards and failed to adequately assess climate consequences. Datacenter cooling represents a growing use case as artificial intelligence and cloud computing demand surge. The facilities require heat dissipation systems, and Chemours markets the PFAS formulation as a replacement for older refrigerants.
Approving the chemical would almost certainly result in environmental contamination around datacenters, according to the coalition's submission to the EPA. PFAS leakage from cooling systems poses direct risks to groundwater and drinking water supplies. Communities near major datacenters, particularly in water-stressed regions, face disproportionate exposure.
The EPA's role involves evaluating whether chemical applications meet safety thresholds under federal law. The agency has faced mounting pressure to restrict PFAS use following widespread contamination discoveries at military bases, manufacturing plants, and municipalities across the country. Previous PFAS refrigerants have leaked from equipment, triggering cleanup actions and litigation.
Environmental advocates note that alternatives to PFAS-based cooling exist, including hydrofluoroolefins and non-fluorinated compounds. The rejection of this application would pressure Chemours and datacent