But Poe Hall isn’t the only NC State building with reported high levels of PCBs
In early 2024, approximately 150 North Carolina State University alumni reported concerns over their cancers due to potential exposure to a carcinogen while studying in the university’s Poe Hall. Of the former NC State students diagnosed with cancer, approximately 3 out of every 4 are female. In late 2023, North Carolina State University’s Poe Hall was found to have PCBs, or Polychlorinated biphenyls, in its building materials. PCBs can negatively affect an individual’s neurological, reproductive, immune and endocrine systems, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They are also linked to cancer and considered to be “probable human carcinogens.” PCBs can also cause a wide range of other adverse health effects including liver damage, neurological issues, and adverse effects on the immune, reproductive, and endocrine systems.
Now, more publicly available information reveals that numerous buildings at NC State were tested for PCBs between 2018 and 2023.
The following locations were tested between 2018 and 2023 and revealed PCBs at levels above the EPA hazardous waste levels:
- Poe Hall
- 111 Lampe Drive (formerly) Daniels Hall
- NC State University Greek House 7
- NC State University Greek House 8
- Bowen Hall
- Carroll Hall
- Gold Hall
- Metcalf Hall
- DH Hill Library
- Harris Hall
- 209 Oberlin Rd (demolition project)
- Poe Hall
- Scott Hall
NC State has created a website documenting its investigation into Poe Hall that dates back to August 2023 when the school received the initial concern from faculty. The website will continue to be updated as the investigation into the campus building continues, he added.
While NC State appears to have begun the process of publicly sharing information about the high levels of PCBs found at Poe Hall in late 2023, many buildings including Poe Hall tested positive for high levels of PCBs prior to 2023. This begs the question of why this information wasn’t shared with current and former students and staff when the levels were first detected.
The toxic tort attorneys at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. have decades of experience obtaining justice on behalf of their clients and have recovered a number of record-breaking case results.
In 2022, Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. attorneys Patrick A. Salvi II, Lance D. Northcutt and Jennifer M. Cascio obtained a record-breaking $363 million toxic exposure jury verdict that includes $38 million in compensatory damages and $325 million in punitive damages. It is the highest jury verdict on record for an individual plaintiff in Illinois. Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. represents hundreds of clients regarding this toxic exposure case and is proud to help them obtain justice.
Click here to learn more about current mass torts, and contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
