Q&A with NAACP: Addressing the growing environmental harms of AI data centers

Yanit Asamnew. “Q&a with NAACP: Addressing the Growing Environmental Harms of AI Data Centers.” American Public Health Association, 13 Mar. 2026, www.apha.org/publications/public-health-newswire/public-health-newswire/articles/addressing-the-growing-environmental-harms-of-ai-data-centers. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.

Yanit Asamnew’s American Public Health Association article covers the conversation between NAACP’s Center for Environmental and Climate Justice director, Abre’ Conner, and The Nation’s Health, in a Q&A format.

This conversation answers several important questions: “What possible dangers do AI data centers pose for human health?”, “Do the supposed benefits of AI data centers, such as employment and better technology, outweigh the health risks?”, “What else should people working in public health know about AI data centers?”, and “What is the big picture when it comes to data centers?”

In terms of human health dangers that data centers may pose, The Nation’s Health says, “It raises concern about breathing problems, water contamination and infant mortality rate.”