{
  "id": 8193649,
  "title": "Data centers are swapping water for forever chemicals to keep AI cool",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/data-centers-are-swapping-water-for-forever-chemicals-to-keep-ai-cool",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-18T07:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fortune",
    "slug": "fortune",
    "url": "https://fortune.com/2026/09/18/data-centers-ai-compute-pfas-forever-chemicals-water/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Data centers are transitioning away from water to utilize \"forever chemicals,\" or PFAS, to maintain optimal AI system temperatures. The report by chemical watchdog ChemSec reveals that the world's leading PFAS producers are expanding their manufacturing capacity amid the surge in AI infrastructure. PFAS, known for their heat-resistant properties, are crucial in data center cooling, semiconductor manufacturing, and lithium-ion battery materials. The report cites three primary demand sources for PFAS: data center cooling, semiconductor production, and battery materials. The use of PFAS in data centers has sparked a debate over water usage, with newer cooling systems replacing water with fluorinated chemicals, including PFAS. The global production of PFAS reached $4 billion in 2022, with an estimated $17.5 trillion in societal costs, as per a 2023 ChemSec analysis. The AI boom and growing data center demand may further amplify the need for PFAS. However, the environmental and health risks associated with PFAS, classified as \"forever chemicals\" due to their resistance to degradation, pose significant challenges. ChemSec estimates that between 50% and 67% of Chemours' $5.8 billion revenue stems from PFAS production, with Daikin and Arkema also expanding their PFAS capacities. Data center cooling has become a contentious issue, with environmental organizations opposing Chemours' application to fast-track a new PFAS chemical for data center cooling, citing potential health and climate risks. Chemours has dismissed these concerns, asserting that its system operates as a closed loop with minimal gas leakage.",
  "summary": "A new ChemSec report finds most of the world's largest PFAS producers are expanding output to meet demand from AI data centers.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}