The supercomputer facility operated by Elon Musk’s AI project xAI in Memphis, Tennessee, has been emitting toxic fumes that have caused respiratory problems and other health issues for residents living nearby.
Lack of Public Notice and Environmental Review
The facility was built without public notice or an environmental review. Since it went online last year, residents have reported experiencing various health issues.
Personal Accounts
-
Isabel Whitaker: Her 12-year-old son has experienced persistent coughing, requiring multiple visits to urgent care. She expressed concern for his health, stating he would gasp for air.
-
Easter Knox: A resident with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Knox mentioned that she cannot open windows during certain hours, as it exacerbates her condition.
Advocacy and Calls for Action
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has called on lawmakers to shut down the facility due to its negative impact on local residents and the environment. A spokesperson for the NAACP stated, "We urge lawmakers to take immediate action."
Health Impacts
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that gas turbines used by the facility contribute to smog-related health conditions, including asthma and cancer. Key statistics include:
-
Asthma Rates: In Shelby County, asthma rates are four times higher than the national average, based on data from 2020-2022.
-
Pediatric Asthma Hospitalization: The hospitalization rates for pediatric asthma are significantly elevated, with 1,996 ER visits and 165 hospitalizations per 100,000 children annually, according to Dr. Michael Dulin at Prisma Health Midlands Children’s Hospital.
Community Response
Shelby County officials have not yet commented on potential actions regarding this issue. Local community members remain vigilant in raising awareness about their plight, amidst growing calls from advocacy groups like the NAACP demanding accountability from those responsible.
I’m Mark W. Lamplugh Jr., a visionary Chief Executive Officer, Board Member, and best-selling Author with over 25 years of experience driving significant revenue growth and optimizing ROI across the healthcare, wellness, and media industries. Throughout my career, I’ve consistently transformed underperforming operations into thriving ventures by building top-tier marketing organizations, implementing data-driven strategies, and leading transformational change. My empathetic, collaborative, and adaptable leadership style has allowed me to cultivate inclusive cultures of innovation, develop and retain top talent, and forge strong partnerships that fuel organizational success.
Adept in executive leadership, strategic business planning, and brand and marketing strategy, I have a proven track record of boosting annual revenues—achieving up to $1.3B in oncology over three years and generating $360M in mental health initiatives. My approach combines strategic vision with hands-on execution, as evidenced by my success in launching innovative facilities, expanding services for addiction and mental health care, and enhancing organizational brand visibility. As author of “The AI Marketing Playbook,” I contribute thought leadership on the integration of artificial intelligence in marketing, a role that showcases my commitment to staying at the forefront of industry innovation.
I also bring my insights and expertise to a broad audience as the host of cable tv & global streaming of “Street Level Marketing Show,” while my writing has been featured in major publications such as Entrepreneur, Business.com, The Startup, and Kivo Daily. Whether I’m implementing targeted digital marketing campaigns that engage over a million individuals monthly or overseeing multi-million dollar budgets to maximize return on investment, I approach every challenge with a combination of strategic planning, creative problem-solving, and unwavering dedication. Above all, I am passionate about expanding access to high-quality addiction and mental health care through innovative solutions that drive both patient outcomes and organizational growth.
Mark serves on the board of One World for Life, National Fire Heritage Center, and the Institute for Responder Wellness.
Mark (https://marklamplugh.com) is one of the top marketing executives in the United States and has revolutionized how companies reach potential clients thru influence, SEO, social, PR, and traditional marketing. His expertise in Marketing, Social Media, Digital Marketing, and Public Relations has generated millions of dollars in revenue for several national companies. Mark documents many of his techniques in his book “Beginners Guide to Social & Digital Media.” and “Marketing Playbook for Social Media,” which was named the top 100 social media marketing books of all time by Book Authority. He’s also a professional advocate for the behavioral and mental health of firefighters and other first responders. Marks articles have been published in Better Marketing, Startup Magazine, Social Media Today, Kivo Daily, Biz Catalyst 360, Fire Engineering, Firehouse Magazine, and several others.
One of his companies, niches, are marketing products and services to the public safety industry and their employees, specifically mental & behavioral health services. He can be reached for comment at ceo@influencemediasolutions.com
23,000 #1 Connections, 40,000,000 US B2B Contacts and 300,000,000 B2b/B2C email contacts as well as 1,000,000+ monthly social media reach. https://marklamplugh.com
