Investigation into potential cancer cluster at NC State will continue

North Carolina State University announced Wednesday the federal government will resume its "health hazard evaluation" into a potential cancer cluster at Poe Hall, a reversal of decision made weeks before.

Chancellor Kevin Howell announced the decision in a letter sent to faculty, staff and graduate students.

“I am pleased to share that the university was notified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) that the Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) related to Poe Hall will move forward,” Howell wrote. “This follows the news we received in April from NIOSH that the HHE had been closed due to a federal reduction in force.

“This is a welcome development for our community. I’m grateful that NIOSH will resume its evaluation to provide answers related to Poe Hall.”

WRAL 5 On Your Side has asked NC State leaders what prompted the reversal.

Students at NC State, like Skye Sgourieis, told WRAL News they're happy the university is looking into it again.

"People were a bit defeated after finding out about Poe Hall, the PCBs and the closures of the building," Sgourieis said. "It's nice that they are taking it seriously for the students who have been here, and families of people that have been affected."

The announcement is welcome news to many workers and students who spoke with WRAL 5 On Your Side and spent time in Poe Hall.

More than 225 people who were in Poe Hall have reported to 5 On Your Side that they have developed cancer after spending time in the building.

The university closed the building in November 2023 after levels of toxic PCB chemicals were found inside.

Dr. Robert Herrick, a former occupational hygienist with NIOSH, told WRAL News he's happy that the evaluation is progressing again, but said cuts to NIOSH could hinder future evaluations.

"The cuts that NIOSH has sustained make it impossible for them to take on any new requests like this," he said. "People who may have similar concerns are not going to have this resource to turn to."

Sgourieis said she remains hopeful that the results from NIOSH's evaluation will provide closure to those who say they were affected by the PCBs inside the building.

"Hopefully, it gets these families a bit more faith in college," she said. "I'm sure the college does care, but it's definitely been a bit of a sticky situation. Hopefully, the families will get some closure from this."