Data Center Lawsuits

People filed data center class action lawsuits because they claim noise or pollution from these centers negatively affects their health, quality of life or property. Even if they comply with local regulations, the impact data centers have may still qualify as environmental harm or a legal nuisance.

The non-stop noise and vibrations generated by data centers can interfere with the ability to sleep, relax indoors or outdoors, hold conversations and use or enjoy property. Data center lawsuits say the negative impact of these facilities can cause substantial annoyance and loss of comfort and enjoyment, lower property value and increase the risk of health problems.

Individuals may sue data centers on the legal grounds of negligence, public nuisance, private nuisance and violation of local ordinances.

Several communities across the country may already suffer from the problems linked to these facilities. If you’ve been affected by noise or pollution from a data center, you can contact a lawyer to see if you qualify to join a data center class action lawsuit. Consumer Notice partners with attorneys and experts who can build strong, evidence-based claims against data centers.

These large computing facilities operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The byproducts of running these facilities are constant noise and pollution that could significantly impact health, the environment and property.

These facilities generate continuous, tonal sounds from computer cooling towers and fans, backup generators and transformers. The large-scale heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in these centers also contribute to a constant hum.

Studies link noise pollution to various health problems, including sleep disturbance, heart disease and high blood pressure. It may also affect mental health.

How Noise Pollution From Data Centers May Affect Your Health

Low-frequency or tonal sound pollution from data centers tends to be lower-level noise, but is linked to increased annoyance, stress, reduced sleep quality and secondary psychological harms such as anxiety or depression.

Even if you don’t think the noise is loud, lawsuits claim chronic noise exposure activates the body’s stress response (including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system). This can lead to elevated stress hormones, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, elevated blood pressure and other cardiovascular effects.

Some noise pollution from data centers may exceed 90 decibels. Exposure to over 85 decibels can damage hearing.

Noise Pollution and Lower Property Values

In addition to health concerns, noise pollution can lower property values because quieter areas are more desirable. For example, a house within 2 miles of an airport may sell for up to 20% less than other properties in the same ZIP code or an adjoining area. Near highways, it’s about 11% lower.

Noise generated by data centers could lead to a permanent home equity loss. In the most recently filed lawsuits, residents within three miles of a data center suffered the most noise pollution effects –– including loss of property value –– and were included in a class action lawsuit.

Negative Impact on Wildlife

The wildlife may also be affected by noise pollution from data centers, disrupting breeding patterns, displacing native animals and reducing biodiversity. Residents notice less wildlife in the community. Even pets may not enjoy going outdoors because of the bothersome noise.

For people who bought their homes in a quiet, peaceful community full of wildlife, this greatly diminishes the enjoyment of their property.

Data centers and other hyperscale computing facilities consume a lot of energy, which can drive up electricity costs for people living nearby. It also forces local governments to account for the high energy and cooling needs of these centers.

In addition to increased costs for individuals, local municipalities may have to spend more to accommodate data centers. Data center servers generate a large amount of heat and often require large volumes of water for cooling, as well as generating more wastewater.

Data center lawsuits claim these increased costs may amount to tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars and should be borne by the facility operators, not residents or municipalities.

Individuals and communities may qualify to file a data center noise pollution lawsuit if they live near a data center or other large hyperscale computing center that negatively impacts their quality of life.

Wastewater treatment plant operators may also file a lawsuit against data center operators to recover costs they incurred in supporting data center operations.