NC State names consulting firm investigating Poe Hall
A consulting firm with offices in Raleigh has been enlisted by North Carolina State University to investigate hazardous chemicals in Poe Hall.
The university also launched a website where the campus community can get updates on the investigation.
In November, university leaders announced the temporary closure of the education building at 2310 Katharine Stinson Drive after toxic chemicals known as PCBs were found present.
Prior to the closure, several students and current and former staff members who spent time in Poe Hall detailed illnesses and poor conditions within the building.
The hiring of the consulting firm marks the next step in understanding any issues present in Poe Hall, according to a message sent to the N.C. State community.
“This week, the university began working with Geosyntec Consultants, a firm with expertise in environmental building assessment in the public and private sectors,” Chancellor Randy Woodson wrote in a message. “The firm is tasked with developing a plan for and executing more comprehensive testing of the building.”
Testing will commence in December and continue into January, according to the message. The firm will also oversee critical maintenance projects within the building and provide guidance to individuals who need limited access to the building.
“This guidance and further information will be available in the days ahead and shared directly with those who may need building access in the near future,” Woodson wrote.
The message also provided preliminary information on where classes traditionally taught in Poe Hall will take place at the start of the spring semester.
“We've nearly secured space on campus to house Poe Hall faculty and staff occupants. We are finalizing the details and anticipate sharing lease agreements with the Board of Trustees and the UNC System Office for approvals as early as next week,” Woodson wrote.
The chancellor’s latest message comes three weeks after university officials closed Poe Hall. The announcement was met with concern by students and staff. Many felt the university was not forthcoming with information and provided little guidance and support in terms of health.
Aroclor 1262 is a type of PCB. High levels of PCBs are linked to cancer cases, and their use was banned in the United States in the late 1970s. However, PCBs are commonly found all over the world, according to Larry Engel, a professor and epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
When asked about the risk of exposure to what was detected in Poe Hall, the university declined to answer. The university also mentioned that it will not test any other university buildings for PCBs.
