Trump EPA sued over approval of toxic datacenter chemicals

Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over the approval of two new chemicals used in data centers, citing severe health risks and violations of federal law. The lawsuit, filed by the nonprofit Earthjustice, alleges that the EPA approved photoacid generators for import and immediate use despite acknowledging they could cause 'sudden death,' cancer, neurological damage, and reproductive harm.

According to the suit, the EPA conceded in consent orders that the chemicals present an 'unreasonable risk' to workers and the public. Earthjustice attorney Jonathan Kalmuss-Katz stated that this violates the Toxic Substances Control Act, which requires the EPA to prohibit or limit substances posing such risks. The restrictions implemented by the EPA are described as minimal and non-protective.

The EPA's approvals also noted a lack of sufficient information to quantify the risks, including acute lethality for workers and potential harm to the general population through various exposure routes. Redactions in the approval documents obscure the identity of the chemical producer and raise questions about whether the chemicals were fast-tracked under a controversial executive order aimed at speeding up data center chemical approvals.

These chemicals are described as potentially being PFAS 'forever chemicals,' which are known for their persistence in the environment. The EPA's review process for these new chemicals is criticized as being fundamentally flawed, failing to protect the public from unreasonable risks. The lawsuit highlights a broader concern that the administration prioritizes AI and computing capacity over public health and environmental protection.