WRAL 5 On Your Side independently received 101 reports of cancer and more than a dozen other reports of serious illness among people who spent time at Poe Hall.
The once-bustling building that housed North Carolina State University's School of Educational Psychology closed in November after tests found high levels of PCBs, toxic chemicals linked to cancer.
Last week, several North Carolina state officials sent letters to North Carolina leadership and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services asking both agencies to report cases of cancer and serious illness, according to email records sent to 5 On Your Side. requested to investigate. Both have been declined for now. Instead, the university says it will focus on building environmental research.
November 2023: Poe Hall closes, health investigation required.
More than a week after Poe Hall closed in November, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced it had recommended that the state request a health hazard assessment. North Carolina did so, according to both NCDHHS and the CDC.
“(NCDHHS) typically refers questions about increased cancer rates in the work environment to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, which is better able to investigate cancer concerns through health hazard assessments. “We are in a favorable position to do so,” an NCDHHS spokesperson wrote in a letter to WRAL 5. on your side.
A free federal survey conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) was able to conduct medical examinations, review reports of illnesses, and collect samples. However, the investigation was discontinued in January 2024. Who is responsible for that decision is in dispute.
January 2024: CDC evaluation cannot continue without North Carolina support
The CDC told WRAL 5 On Your Side that North Carolina's general counsel withdrew the evaluation request in January.
“NCSU's general counsel withdrew the request in January 2024,” according to a statement from the CDC, which includes NIOSH.
The CDC has confirmed two separate health hazard assessment requests regarding Poe Hole. One was from North Carolina, and his other was from a group of North Carolina State employees who worked in Pohole.
But NIOSH could not have done either without North Carolina's involvement, according to the CDC. The CDC wrote that NIOSH “does not have the authority to proceed with the evaluation without NCSU's cooperation.”
In a letter titled “Closing” detailing the inability to proceed with the investigation, NIOSH official Dr. Dallas See wrote: ”
Shi's letter cited complaints from one of the NCSU employees who participated in the second evaluation request. “Claimants expressed concerns about a lack of communication and a general distrust of management's actions. They also expressed concerns about the lack of epidemiological analysis. I would like to address these concerns. “I have offered to confidentially communicate this to the North Carolina State University General Counsel's Office,” Shi wrote.
February 2024: CDC and North Carolina clash over who canceled evaluations.
North Carolina is challenging the CDC, claiming that North Carolina withdrew its application for a health hazard assessment.
In a statement to the NCSU community, President Randy Woodson wrote that it was not NSCU's choice to withdraw from HHE.
“The State of North Carolina has never asked NIOSH to close any HHE (Health Hazard Evaluation), and I will respectfully request that any statements to the contrary be retracted,” Todd S.・Mr. Rosler stated in a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and the U.S. Department of Health. human services.
On February 6, Rosler, an attorney who described himself as working on behalf of the state of North Carolina, wrote a letter to DHHS highlighting the CDC's statement regarding the revocation request and the sequence of events that led to its termination. Ta. Health damage assessment.
“The State of North Carolina has notified NIOSH that Poe Hall remains closed,” Rosler wrote about the Jan. 18 call.
According to Rosler's letter, North Carolina told NIOSH that buildings should be opened only to properly trained personnel “equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment for essential activities such as sampling, repair, and maintenance.” Then I told him.
WRAL 5 On Your Side asked the state of North Carolina to clarify whether that means NIOSH will not be allowed in the building.
North Carolina officials said they will first focus on an environmental study of Poe Hall and use that information to inform a health study.
“The State of North Carolina… please let NIOSH know that we are proceeding with an environmental review of the building to better inform the required health investigation,” North Carolina State spokeswoman Mary Cole Pike said on 5 On wrote Your Side in an email.
According to North Carolina State University, NIOSH has since told the university that it wants to either proceed with the investigation at the same time as the building inspection or end the investigation.
“The agency (NIOSH) has informed the university that it is preferable to keep the assessment public or private rather than suspend the assessment while the building is inspected,” Pike wrote. .
North Carolina officials said it was ultimately NIOSH's decision to conclude the health impact assessment.
“Based on information provided by the State of North Carolina, NIOSH has closed HHE,” Pike wrote.
The state of North Carolina has said it may begin a health inspection, but is currently inspecting the building. The survey was conducted by Geosyntech Consultants, a consulting firm commissioned by the company.
North Carolina employees and students ask state for help
NCDHHS confirmed it had the authority to investigate, but did not: the building,” a DHHS spokesperson wrote.
Several North Carolina State employees and students emailed DHHS Secretary Cody Kinsley and Deputy Secretary Jay Ludlum, asking for DHHS' involvement.
“Extensive health assessments need to be conducted to ensure that students, staff, and faculty who work and study at Pau understand how to manage their health.” one troubled former graduate student wrote in an email to Mr. Kinsley and Mr. Ludlum. .
President Randy Woodson updated the NCSU community on Wednesday. He reiterated the environmental review at Poe Hall and told the North Carolina State University community that the university is seeking answers about the building with health concerns in mind.
North Carolina State University told WRAL News it does not collect health information. The North Carolina Department of Health said it is not investigating Poe Hall. The CDC confirmed that no federal agency that specializes in human health is investigating Poe Hole. Last year, North Carolina hired a consulting firm focused on environmental testing.
What's next for Poe Hall students and employees?
The state of North Carolina has said it may investigate the health status of people who worked and studied at Poe Hall.
“We are awaiting the results and recommendations of the environmental review before conducting any additional investigation,” Mary Cole Pike wrote in Five on Your Side.
NCSU students and staff continue to demand faster action. The students' petition asked the state of North Carolina to immediately reopen requests for health hazard assessments. On Friday, the University Coordinating Board is meeting to consider separate motions of no confidence in North Carolina's president, vice chancellor and superintendent.
“The Committee received several emails expressing concern and dismay at the lack of communication and transparency from University leadership regarding the ongoing investigation regarding Poe Hall,” the University Coordinating Committee said. A letter has been sent to the Department of Teaching and Learning Sciences.
“We feel it is imperative that we convene a meeting as soon as possible to discuss this matter and collectively decide on the best course of action moving forward,” the message continued.
Some teachers objected to the call for a vote, arguing that it would be unwise to rush to assign blame.
