AI data centres turn to 'forever chemicals' for cooling, driving a PFAS boom

Sep 14, 2026 · Issue 7 · 4 sources, 4 articles

AI data centres are increasingly turning to PFAS-containing coolants to cut water use, fuelling a PFAS boom (September 14–18, 2026). Campaigners warn of a "tidal wave" of PFAS.

Who is affected and how

engineer

Cooling system design must weigh water savings against PFAS regulatory risk.

supplier

PFAS-based coolants may carry regulatory and reputational risk.

Sources

• AI Data Centres Are Turning to 'Forever Chemicals' to Cut Water Use, Fueling PFAS Boominternational business times uk · Sep 18, 2026
• Data centers are swapping water for forever chemicals to keep AI coolfortune · Sep 18, 2026
• Data centers are swapping water for forever chemicals to keep AI cool | Fortunefortune.com · Sep 18, 2026
• ‘Tidal wave’ of Pfas being launched to satisfy AI industry, campaigners warnthe guardian · Sep 14, 2026

Machine-generated summary based on the titles and excerpts of the source articles. The facts come from the linked article.