Residents of Granbury, Texas, are experiencing severe health issues, which they believe are caused by the incessant noise from a local Bitcoin mining facility.
Andrew R. Chow reports for TIME.
In short:
- Residents report ailments like migraines, hypertension, and vertigo since the Bitcoin mine started operating.
- The mine’s noise levels regularly exceed legal limits, causing sleep disturbances and stress.
- Marathon Digital Holdings, the mine's owner, plans to reduce noise by transitioning to quieter cooling systems.
Key quote:
“This thing is definitely causing a tremendous amount of stress. Everyone is just miserable about it.”
— Dr. Salim Bhaloo, ENT specialist.
Why this matters:
The noise pollution from Bitcoin mining can pose significant health risks to nearby communities. The constant hum and roar of the high-powered computers running day and night are being linked to sleep disturbances, increased stress levels, and other health problems. With the growing prevalence of such facilities, more towns could face similar health crises.
