Groups sue Trump’s EPA over fast-track approval of toxic datacenter chemicals
Exposure to two compounds approved can result in ‘sudden death’ and range of other serious health risks, lawsuit warns The Trump administration has approved two new datacenter chemicals to which exposure can result in “sudden death” and a range of other serious health risks, like cancer, eye corrosion, neurological damage and reproductive harm, a new lawsuit warns. The two compounds approved by…
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved two new chemicals for use in datacenters, despite warnings that exposure to them can lead to "sudden death" and serious health issues such as cancer, eye damage, and neurological problems, a lawsuit claims. The compounds, which are also classified as PFAS "forever chemicals," were approved for immediate import and use in facilities across the US.
The EPA acknowledged it does not know the level at which these chemicals can cause acute harm, but still approved them, violating the Toxic Substances Control Act. Kalmuss-Katz, an attorney for Earthjustice, stated that the EPA's restrictions are minimal and non-protective, and the severity of the risks, lack of data, and failure to implement protective measures are highly unusual.
The EPA's approval of these chemicals appears to be a result of a controversial 2025 executive order aimed at speeding up the approval process for datacenter chemicals. The EPA's consent orders include explicit admissions of insufficient information to quantify the risks to public health and the environment. Despite the risks, industry argues that these chemicals are essential for semiconductor production, and alternatives are not feasible.
The disposal of these chemicals also poses unknown health risks, particularly for low-income communities near incineration sites.
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