A federal investigation of the contaminated building on North Carolina State's campus has been shut down.
An update from Chancellor Randy Woodson posted Wednesday says the Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) of Poe Hall has been closed due to federal cuts.
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"The situation with the HHE is a disaster," says Dr. Robert Herrick, a former Occupational Hygienist with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health for 22 years and a Harvard University faculty member for 25 years.
NC State started closing Poe Hall in November 2023 after testing revealed high levels of cancer causing chemicals throughout the building.
In the 16 months since, 225 people who either worked or studied here reported that they were diagnosed with cancer.
Many believe this investigation was vital in uncovering whether the cancers were linked to Poe Hall, and they are devastated it’s been cut short.
"I can't believe it's actually happening," said former NC State student Christie Lewis. "I think for the good of humanity, it needs to be picked back up."
Poe Hall was home to NC State's College of Education and the Psychology Department. The building was closed when toxic chemicals called PCBs were discovered in the fall of 2023.
NC State initially requested the Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) around the time the building closed. The CDC says the university withdrew that request in January 2024. However, after reporting by 5 On Your Side and outcry from the campus community, the university reversed course and re-entered the HHE.
A Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) is a free and independent investigation by the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to identify workplace hazards and make recommendations to protect employees’ health.
Health Hazard Evaluations typically take between six and 12 months. The evaluation could have determined the potential effects of PCBs found in Poe Hall, but would not have required NC State to take any action.
Woodson's update also said after the closure of the HHE due to federal cuts, the university reached out to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Woodson said NCDHHS told NC State that all HHEs across the state have been halted because of these federal cuts.
"We are all in danger from PCBs," Lewis said. "Please take care of us. Take care of the citizens of the United States and our children by looking into this and getting some justice."
Woodson's statement concluded, "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."
Herrick holds out some hope for the future. "I really think this can be reversed—if there’s enough pressure on Congress," he said.
Lewis, who was an NC State student and was diagnosed with two types of cancer after two years studying in Poe Hall, said, "It just feels like we’re fighting a losing battle. We have to be able to fix this before more people die."
A current member of the College of Education faculty told WRAL News, "It makes me so sad to hear that they are no longer pursuing it. It seems like everyone has given up on trying to figure out what happened. They are turning their backs on hundreds of us affected by our time in Poe Hall."
More than 200 people who worked or studied in Poe Hall over the years have reported cancer diagnosis to 5 On Your Side.
While PCBs are known to cause cancer, it's not clear if the cancer cases reported to 5 On Your Side are directly connected to the PCBs in Poe Hall. That's what people who spent time in the building were hoping to learn from the HHE.
Many of those diagnosed with cancer plan to take legal action against the university and the manufacturer of the chemicals, Monsanto.
5 On Your Side asked a university spokesperson if NC State was planning or attempting to obtain details of the HHE from NIOSH and the CDC. The spokesperson said all they were able to share is what went out in the chancellor's update.
5 On Your Side has also reached out to the CDC for more information and is waiting on a call back.