Earthjustice-Led Coalition Urges EPA to Reject Chemours PFAS Coolant for Data Centers

A coalition of 17 environmental organizations, spearheaded by Earthjustice, is pressing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to block the fast-track approval of a new polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) fluid developed by chemical giant Chemours for use in data center cooling systems. The move highlights growing tension between the tech industry's demand for efficient thermal management and the environmental and health risks associated with “forever chemicals.” PFAS, which are highly resistant to heat, water, and grease, do not break down easily in nature or the human body, raising concerns about long-term contamination.

The coalition, in a formal comment first reported by The Guardian, accused Chemours of relying on flawed science to downplay the toxicity and climate risks of the proposed chemical, marketed as Opteon 2P50. The group warned that approving the application without thorough scrutiny would violate federal environmental law. According to the coalition, Opteon 2P50 could be more toxic than Chemours claims, and the EPA should subject it to a full review rather than a streamlined permit process. “The unique characteristics of the PFAS class render many of the EPA’s ordinary risk management tools inadequate to assess and prevent their unreasonable risk,” the comment stated.

Chemours, a major American chemical company spun off from DuPont in 2015 and headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, has promoted Opteon 2P50 as a refrigerant for two-phase data center cooling systems. In a statement, the company argued that the coalition’s comments failed to acknowledge that such systems operate as a “closed loop,” meaning the fluid is not intentionally released. However, environmental groups counter that leaks remain a real possibility, posing a serious risk of soil and water contamination. The coalition’s filing alleges multiple false claims in Chemours’ submitted science, including reliance on a lab rat strain that is less susceptible to PFAS toxic effects than humans, and points to missing or limited toxicological data.

The groups also highlighted Chemours’ history of releasing dangerous levels of pollution into communities near its facilities. They asserted that approving a new PFAS compound could present a “clear and present risk” to public health. Industry observers note that if the EPA grants fast-track approval, it could set a precedent for other chemicals with similar profiles, potentially undermining ongoing efforts to regulate PFAS more strictly. The outcome of this case may influence how data center operators and chemical suppliers approach cooling technology, especially as AI-driven workloads push power densities and cooling demands higher.