Are data centres actually noisy, and is this bad for our health?
Noise concerns have tanked several data centres proposed in residential areas in Australia. But is the noise just annoying, or is it bad for our health?
Data centres generate noise primarily due to cooling systems and backup generators. These can produce noise levels above 85 decibels (dBA) within the facility. However, this noise is mitigated through barriers, distance, and other measures to comply with local regulations. The World Health Organization links excessive noise to health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, and sleep disruption.
While data centres have existed for decades, they are now a subject of policy debate due to noise concerns. The approval process for new data centres involves proving that the noise won't exceed local limits, which are often based on land use and WHO guidelines. In Australia, nighttime noise limits are typically 35-40 dBA in residential areas.
Noise regulation also includes controls to prevent "creeping background noise" as more buildings are added. While there is no direct evidence linking data centre noise to health effects, a similar review of wind farm noise found no direct evidence of health impacts. However, short-term annoyance from new noise sources can lead to stress-related health issues.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
