Health Risks

Summary

Project Tango's proposed 3.69 million square foot data center would operate diesel backup generators, industrial cooling systems, and heavy machinery within 1,500 feet of Saddle View Elementary School and the 2,400-home Arden community. The resulting air pollutants — including diesel particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — pose documented threats to respiratory and cardiovascular health, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions.

Diesel Emissions and PM2.5

Hyperscale data centers rely on banks of diesel generators as backup power. During grid outages, testing cycles, and maintenance, these generators release diesel exhaust — classified by the World Health Organization as a Group 1 carcinogen. The primary concern is PM2.5 (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers), which penetrates deep into lung tissue and enters the bloodstream.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), long-term exposure to PM2.5 is associated with:

• Premature death from heart and lung disease
• Aggravated asthma and decreased lung function
• Increased respiratory symptoms such as coughing and difficulty breathing
• Development of chronic bronchitis
• Irregular heartbeat and nonfatal heart attacks

The American Lung Association notes that there is no safe level of PM2.5 exposure. Even short-term spikes — such as those from generator testing — can trigger asthma attacks and cardiovascular events in vulnerable populations.

Children at Greatest Risk

Children are disproportionately vulnerable to air pollution for several reasons. Their lungs are still developing, they breathe faster relative to body weight than adults, and they spend more time outdoors during school and play. Saddle View Elementary, which opened in August 2025, sits approximately 1,500 feet from the proposed data center boundary.

Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine has demonstrated that children living near sources of industrial air pollution experience reduced lung growth, higher rates of asthma, and increased school absences. A study in Environmental Health Perspectives found that proximity to diesel emission sources within 500 meters was associated with a 30% increase in childhood respiratory hospitalizations.

Noise as a Health Hazard

Beyond air quality, the 24/7 industrial operations produce constant noise from cooling fans, transformers, and mechanical systems. The World Health Organization's noise guidelines state that chronic exposure to nighttime noise above 40 dBA is associated with adverse health effects including sleep disruption, cardiovascular stress, and impaired cognitive performance in children.

Data centers of this scale typically produce noise levels of 70-85 dBA at the facility boundary, far exceeding WHO thresholds for residential areas.

Cumulative Health Impact

The combination of air pollution, noise, and the psychological stress of living adjacent to a massive industrial facility creates a cumulative health burden. Studies in environmental epidemiology have shown that communities near industrial operations experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and chronic stress — independent of specific pollutant exposure.

For a community marketed as a healthy, outdoor-focused "agrihood" with trails, farms, and open spaces, the introduction of a hyperscale industrial facility fundamentally undermines the health-oriented lifestyle that residents were promised.

What the Research Says

• The EPA's Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter (2019) concluded there is a causal relationship between PM2.5 exposure and cardiovascular mortality.
• A 2021 Harvard study found that even small increases in PM2.5 exposure (1 microgram per cubic meter) are associated with an 8% increase in COVID-19 mortality — highlighting how pollution compounds respiratory vulnerability.
• The Florida Department of Health has identified Palm Beach County as having elevated asthma rates among children ages 5-17, making additional pollution sources particularly concerning.

What You Can Do

The health of our families should not be negotiable. Sign the petition to oppose Project Tango and attend the April 23, 2026 County Commission hearing to make your voice heard.