So far, Marion County zoning officials have considered four proposals to change land use regulations and allow for data centers.
These facilities, filled with computer servers, are the backbone of online cloud storage and a key component for developments in artificial intelligence.
The companies have proposed data centers on farmland on the south side, in the middle of a historically Black neighborhood and in a wooded area next to new housing developments.
Indy residents have been asking questions about potential costs to the environment and people’s health.
With data centers in the mix, potentially contributing to air pollution, residents could feel health impacts if they live within five miles of the facility — maybe even 20 miles.
Sabey Data Centers, a Seattle-based company, declined to comment when asked about the health and environmental impacts of their Decatur Township proposal. Metrobloks did not respond to an interview request.
Mirror Indy wanted to learn about the impact data centers have on the environment and our health, and ways residents can protect themselves.
Here’s what we found out.
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How are data center impacts calculated?
Not all data centers are the same. A community’s risk of health impacts is dependent on many factors, such as the size of the facility, the number of nearby data centers and the type of technology.
Much of the data center research that exists is centered around large hyperscale data buildings, which are typically at least 10,000 square feet, contain 5,000 or more servers and draw more than 50 megawatts of power. Research shows these facilities can cause environmental and health impacts. Due to the pollution emitted from their power sources, that includes respiratory issues and cardiovascular disease.
All of the data center proposals in Marion County would be larger than 10,000 square feet, but information about the number of servers they would use hasn’t been announced publicly.
- Google, which withdrew a proposal in Franklin Township, said it would have built up to four 300,000-square-foot buildings, and it’s unclear how many megawatts it would need.
- Metrobloks, which proposed a facility in Center Township, said the building would be more than 154,000 square feet and use around 75 megawatts.
- American Tower Corp., which withdrew its proposal for a facility in Pike Township, said the building would be 20,000 square feet and require four megawatts.
- Sabey Data Centers, which proposed a facility in Decatur Township, said the building would be more than 1 million square feet and use 250 megawatts over a five-year period.
Air pollution
Data centers can contribute to fine particulate matter, a type of air pollution composed of tiny microscopic droplets filled with toxic chemicals. Some you can see, such as smoke or soot, while others are too small for the naked eye. Breathing this type of pollution can lead to respiratory issues, such as asthma, lung cancer and premature death.
These toxins can be emitted by onsite diesel-powered generators, which rapidly pump emissions into the air. Generators are often used during grid failures, which could occur more frequently during the summer when electricity providers struggle to keep up with customer demands.
Shaolei Ren, an associate professor at the University of California, predicts respiratory health issues caused by data centers will cost the United States up to $20 billion annually by 2028.
A potentially larger way data centers could contribute to air pollution is through their demand for electricity. Making more electricity means power plants produce more pollution.
“The EPA has documented the higher risk of getting lung cancer and respiratory diseases due to air pollutants next to power plants,” Ren said.
Meanwhile, as more data centers crop up, the Trump Administration has ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to scale back its rules aimed at reducing air pollution. The decision could make it harder to regulate emissions from data centers and power plants.
Water consumption and contamination
Data centers can require millions of gallons of water from local communities. The water cools down AI servers and prevents overheating.
“The last thing you want is to turn on the tap and nothing comes out because someone is making an AI puppy video,” said Gabriel Filippelli, a professor of earth sciences at IU Indianapolis. “You could run out of water if it’s not well managed.”
Some data centers use closed-loop systems, which recycle water and lower the risk of contamination. This option is best for the environment, Filippei said, though companies are generally not required to use it.
“They’re not recycling it because it’s cheaper to just dump it,” Filippelli said. “The heat itself can be a pollutant that kills fish.”
He recommends finding out if the water resources in your community can handle the demand of data centers. If not, he recommends pushing for regulations that require companies to make the level sustainable and safer for the environment.
E-waste
Similar to your cellphone, some of the technology used for data centers has to be replaced roughly every three to five years.
When people don’t dispose of technology properly, the outdated devices can release toxins, such as lead, which leach into groundwater and contaminate the air. That can stunt growth and cause respiratory issues in children.
Researchers suspect the increase in data centers could contribute 1.2 million to 5 million metric tons to global e-waste by 2030. In other words, annually discarding 2.5 million tons is equivalent to 2.1 million to 13.3 billion iPhone 15 Pros.
Noise pollution
People in densely populated areas are already exposed to noise pollution from everyday industrial machinery, such as cars, airplanes and manufacturing buildings. That noise can affect your hearing and contribute to sleep disturbance, attention deficits and heart disease.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association reports noise levels above 85 A-weighted decibels (dBA) can lead to hearing loss if you’re exposed for more than eight hours at a time. That’s roughly the equivalent to sitting in a car and listening to city traffic nonstop during a work day.
Research shows some data centers can exceed recommended limits, getting up to 96 dBA.
Data center companies that want to build in Indianapolis have insisted that noise levels will remain low. It’s unclear how close someone needs to live to a data center to experience noise pollution.
- Google, which withdrew a proposal in Franklin Township, said levels would have been 63 dBA at the property line during peak operating conditions.
- Metrobloks, which proposed a facility in Center Township, said the facility’s generators won’t surpass 67 dBA while within 23 feet of the source, which could be similar to the sound of an office.
- American Tower Corp., which proposed a facility in Pike Township, didn’t publicly announce noise levels for its facility according to Protect Pike Township, a local advocacy group.
- Sabey Data Centers, which proposed a facility in Decatur Township, said it won’t surpass 65 decibels at the property line, which they say is the equivalent of a single car engine running.
Mitigating risks
Data centers are likely here to stay. But Ren, the associate professor who studies their risks, said the resulting health issues can be minimized.
“If we can manage the infrastructure needs for power and water, we can manage the health risks,” Ren told Mirror Indy. That looks like assessing the possible health impacts on a community before building a data center, including air pollution levels. Companies, he said, can also use cleaner energy to power backup generators.
“We have to make sure the benefits are higher than the costs,” Ren said.
Much of that comes down to local regulation and transparency — something community groups can push for. “If a tech company is pledging community first AI initiatives,” Ren said, “they have to care about health risks.”
City-County Councilors have discussed plans to potentially add data center regulations on a local level, but nothing has been approved.
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Mirror Indy reporter Elizabeth Gabriel covers the south side of Marion County. Contact her at elizabeth.gabriel@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X at @_elizabethgabs.
Mirror Indy reporter Mary Claire Molloy covers health. Reach her at 317-721-7648 or email maryclaire.molloy@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @mcmolloy7.
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