RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- North Carolina State University has announced the investigation into Poe Hall has been called off because of lack of funding at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Poe Hall was closed in November 2023 when PCBs were found, setting off an investigation by the federal government. PCBs are toxic chemicals that have been linked to an increased risk of diseases, including cancer.
"Having experienced cancer myself and being in a cancer cluster myself, I think it was just horrific. Hearing how many cases of cancer were coming out of here. I knew this is a really big issue that needs to be taken seriously," said NC State graduate student Kevin Joy, who previously took classes at NC State. Joy said his cancer was unrelated to the issues at Poe Hall and occurred before he attended NC State.
"There was no indication for me that there was anything wrong with the building, but that in itself is even more dangerous, I would say," added senior Gabe Dunk, who also took classes inside the now-closed building.
Dunk said his mother took a professional development course at Poe Hall as well, with the building primarily being used for courses within the Department of Education and the School of Psychology.
"(My mom) was shocked," said Dunk, upon learning of the building's closure because of the presence of PCBs.
NC State released two rounds of testing last year - one in February and again in June - which found the level of PCBs was within the EPA threshold. After the initial round, it requested the Health Hazard Evaluation to be conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, which operates under the CDC.
"I don't think that I'm at a huge health risk because of it. But when you think about the employees who have been working there for years, it's completely unfair to them," said Gavin Leone, a senior who took classes at Poe Hall.
The announcement was made in a letter by Chancellor Dr. Randy Woodson to the university community:
"Dear faculty, staff and graduate students:
"This week, the university was notified that, due to a federal reduction in force across the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) related to Poe Hall that was requested by NC State has been closed.
"Since learning this development, we have been in contact with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The department shared with us that all HHEs across the state have been halted because of these federal cuts.
"I know that this news may be disappointing, especially as we have been awaiting results. I want to reassure you that we will continue to keep you informed.
"It's just disappointing. There's not much else you can say outside of that," Leone said.
"(NC State) could be open and honest in the future about potential health hazards and buildings," said Dunk.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services also confirmed that all health hazard evaluations across the state have been put on hold because of federal cuts.
Those evaluations are used to identify potential hazards in the workplace and find ways to fix them.
ABC11 has reached out to the CDC to learn what, if any, part of the evaluation had been completed and whether those details were released. At this time, it has not responded to our request.
In a statement to ABC 11, a spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Labor wrote:
"The Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) Division opened an employee complaint investigation into these allegations at Poe Hall, and that investigation remains open while the Division awaits a final report from N.C. State University. We have no additional information to provide at this time."
A group of current and former students, staff, and faculty has retained legal counsel, asserting that members have become sick because of the conditions at Poe Hall. Bryan Brice, one of the attorneys representing the group, shared his reaction to the NIOSH ending its evaluation in an email to ABC11:
"We are disappointed that the NIOSH study has been canceled. We know that hundreds of individuals who worked or studied in Poe Hall have developed cancer and other serious health conditions, after being exposed to hazardous levels of PCBs in the building. Poe Hall remains closed for a reason.
"We strongly urge NCSU to take independent action and to investigate these critical health and safety issues. If NIOSH is not able to finish their cancer cluster study, we hope to see whatever work they had been able to accomplish before funding was terminated, as it may help others with important health care issues and decisions."
In a statement to ABC 11, a spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services wrote:
"Due to the reduction in force across the federal government and at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), NCSU notified NCDHHS that the Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) related to Poe Hall has been closed.
"As of April 24, 2025, although NCDHHS has not received any formal notification from federal partners regarding the halt of Health Hazard Evaluations (HHEs), we are aware that HHEs that haven't yet been completed are being terminated. Formal communications from NIOSH are being received by those directly impacted by HHEs. NCDHHS hopes to receive more information about HHEs that may have been halted that impact the State, such as potential cancer concerns in the recently initiated NIOSH investigation at a fire station in New Hanover County.
"The NIOSH investigation at NCSU was focused on employees who had offices in Poe Hall consistent with the organization's focus on occupational health.
"NC State University identified concerns about Poe Hall and connected with NCDHHS in October 2023. NCDHHS recommended that NCSU work with NIOSH for the HHE since they have specialized expertise in cancer concerns in occupational settings and were best suited for this work. NIOSH conducts health hazard evaluations to assess workplace conditions and provide recommendations for controlling occupational health hazards and improving worker safety.
"NCDHHS and other states depend on the expertise at NIOSH for workplace cancer concerns because the funding and expertise to support this work is with the federal government. NCDHHS has one occupational epidemiologist who primarily monitors workplace health concerns like exposure to carbon monoxide and lead. This position is funded through NIOSH also could be at risk.
"Like other states that are impacted by these devastating federal cuts, we are working to determine next steps and ensuring our federal and state partners understand the critical impacts of these cuts."
NC State has set up a web page that posts updates about Poe Hall. The university has previously said it's working on remediation and reconstruction of the building.
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