How A Bitcoin Mine Is Destroying Resident’s Health In Texas Town

A bitcoin mining facility in the Texas town of Granbury is seriously affecting the health of residents, causing cardiovascular disorders, hypertension and hearing loss, experts have warned.

In 2022, a bitcoin mining facility was built in Granbury. These facilities use thousands of computers that require mechanical fans to run day and night to keep them cool, and the noise from the fans is deeply affecting residents. 

“Nobody in their right mind would live here,” Cheryl Shadden, a 61-year-old resident, said. “My windows rattle. The sound goes through my walls. My ears ring, 24/7.”

She said she has had trouble sleeping since the plant was built in the town, and a doctor has diagnosed her with permanent hearing loss. 

Residents have reported heart problems, hearing loss and migraines since the mine began operations. In a months-long investigation, TIME reported on more than 40 area residents who reported similar symptoms. At least 10 of them had to go to urgent care or the emergency room, including children.

Last week, five-year-old Indigo Rosenkranz suffered a seizure and was rushed to the emergency room. Her mother, Sarah, said her daughter had constant pain in her ears and developed serious infections.

The effects of noise on human health are well known in the medical community. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) warns that workers can only be exposed to 90 decibels for less than eight hours a day and must wear hearing protection, as anything at that level can cause permanent hearing loss. Residents, however, are exposed to this level of noise all day and night without protection.

Hood County Constable John Shirley reported that he has recorded noise above 85 decibels from the plant more than 35 times. The Texas state penal code sets 85 decibels as the noise limit, by far the loudest state limit in the nation.

Shirley has fined the owner of the bitcoin mine each time it exceeds the limit, but the fines are only $500, adding up to a theoretical fine of $17,500, which is very small compared to the bitcoin mine’s revenue. Its owner, Marathon, reported $165 million in revenue in the first quarter of 2024.

“These people here, they’re good country folks, and Bitcoin, to them, is almost a foreign alien thing,” Dr. Salim Bhaloo, a local ear, nose, and throat specialist told TIME. “They don’t understand it. And [the noise] is detrimental to their health and anxiety.”

Marathon said it would try to replace some of the fans with immersion cooling systems, which keep computers cool by submerging them in oil. However, the company also said it may not be able to do so because it could jeopardize its financial profits.

So far, state leaders have welcomed bitcoin facilities. Gov. Greg Abbott has said Texas would be the number one state for blockchain and cryptocurrency, and lawmakers have been offered to approve bitcoin-friendly legislation.

Some residents have explored possible civil nuisance claims against Marathon. Shadden contacted the nonprofit Earthjustice to explore litigation options. The nonprofit has worked on similar cases against bitcoin mining facilities.

“Historically, Bitcoin miners go to the cheapest source of electricity with the least amount of regulation, and they do the cheapest thing possible,” said Earthjustice Deputy managing attorney Mandy DeRoche.

Other residents, however, have said they want to move away from the mine. After her daughter had an emergency, Sarah Rosenkranz told TIME that she has no choice but to take out a second mortgage to find a new home away from the mine.

“This community has had enough,” Shadden told The Texas Tribune.