A North Carolina State University building has now been been linked to 150 cancers among alumni who attended classes in the facility.
Jonathan Limehouse reports for USA Today.
In short:
- North Carolina State University's Poe Hall has been linked to more than 150 reported cancer cases among former students, with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) identified as a likely cause.
- Comprehensive testing for PCBs, along with lead and asbestos, was initiated after an employee raised health concerns in 2023, leading to the closure of Poe Hall for further investigation.
- PCBs, recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency as probable human carcinogens, have been identified in building materials. The toxic pollutants are tied to neurological, immune, reproductive and endocrine system problems.
Key quote:
"I recognize that people are very eager for answers to their questions. This is very stressful, and I know that. It's a particular concern to us that we move through this as quickly, but as thoroughly as we can."
— Chancellor Randy Woodson, NC State University
Why this matters:
PCBs are persistent organic pollutants that spread easily, accumulate through the food chain and can take decades to break down in the environment. Though production ceased by the 1980s, there are still more than 10 million tons of PCB materials to manage. A majority of countries, including the U.S., are not on track to remove them from the environment by a 2028 global deadline. There are increasing concerns that other persistent organic pollutants, like PFAS, will prove even more difficult to manage in coming years because they've been used in so many industry and consumer products.
