Concerns Rise Over Artificial Light Pollution from Data Centers

Massive. Noisy. And oh, the power consumption. There’s a lot to dislike about the modern data centers that fuel our internet and AI advancements.

One Pennsylvania doctor, Dr. Barbara Brandom, recently highlighted another issue: the artificial light pollution these centers generate. She argues that it’s often overlooked, yet this excessive brightness can be harmful to our health.

In her op-ed, Brandom notes that a typical large data center campus can occupy up to 1,200 acres for its infrastructure, cooling, and power systems—along with continuous industrial lighting. Residents living in rural areas close to these centers often report that they “glow at night,” resembling small cities.

Brandom adds that this artificial illumination not only disrupts local wildlife but also negatively impacts human sleep patterns and our body’s circadian rhythms.

“While there’s substantial evidence that indoor light pollution affects health, research into the effects of outdoor light pollution has only been around for about 15 to 20 years,” she says. Interestingly, studies dating back to 1995 already linked nighttime light exposure to an increased risk of breast cancer among female workers on rotating night shifts.

She references a 2007 study from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which suggested that working overnight, disrupting natural sleep patterns, and exposure to artificial light might act as carcinogens. There’s also a report from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences from 2006 that points to how modern life—dominated by artificial light—could lead to higher rates of cancers, obesity, and early diabetes.

This might sound a bit extreme, maybe even fringe. But honestly, the research has convinced me that being exposed to artificial light late into the night could seriously harm our health. It kind of makes sense, right? Humans weren’t designed to be active all night. We evolved to rise with the sun, work during daylight, and rest once it got dark.

Of course, this isn’t an issue for everyone, especially those who don’t live near data centers. But many Americans do find themselves frustrated by the size, noise, and brightness of these facilities. As we look toward a future heavily influenced by AI and tech, who knows how many more data centers will pop up across the nation? I mean, it’s entirely possible you could find one in your own neighborhood soon.