Noisy data center debate goes on while lawmakers on summer break

by Daniel Fink, MD, Chair, The Quiet Coalition

Photo Credit: Panumas Nikhomkhai

The Center Square webpage, sponsored by the nonprofit Franklin News Foundation “to fulfill the need for high-quality statehouse and statewide news across the United States,” reports that legislators and governors in Pennsylvania and other states are taking action or considering taking action on the proliferation of data centers in their states. In Pennsylvania, concerns have been raised about a data center proposed for a location near a large high school. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently declared a moratorium on data center construction in the state. According to the Center Square report, Pennsylvania is expected to announce executive actions on data centers soon.

Data centers use immense amounts of water and electricity for cooling, with some facilities discharging water containing forever chemicals into rivers and streams. High-level continuous sound — emitted by cooling systems and back-up generators — while not often mentioned in various government publications, is a major concern for those living near data centers. Residents of communities near data centers have reported health effects including sleep disruption, hearing loss, headaches, anxiety, and hypertension. Existing noise regulations do not adequately address the continuous low-frequency noise produced by data centers: facilities technically in compliance with regulations can still harm communities.

Quiet Communities, Inc. is taking the lead on data center noise issues. Quiet Communities founder and president Jamie Banks, PhD, MSc, has made eight presentations to various groups about data center noise. Most recently, Quiet Communities hosted a webinar about this topic. 

It’s clear to us, and to those living near data centers, that data center noise is a major problem that must be dealt with now. A quieter world will be a better and healthier world for all.