Aerial view of North Carolina State University's campus, Memorial Bell Tower (center), and surrounding area in Raleigh, North Carolina.
(NewsNation) – North Carolina State University officials and health experts are responding to local health concerns related to potentially harmful chemicals found in a now-closed campus building, according to local news reports. We are working to address it.
University leaders closed Poe Hall, the school's educational psychology building, in November after tests revealed the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), local broadcaster WTVD reported.
These chemicals were banned in the United States in 1979 because they could be harmful to human and environmental health, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Local broadcaster WRAL has since received 152 reports of cancer cases in people connected to the building. However, the cause of the incident cannot be directly traced to the building.
The latest architectural tests could be available as early as the end of this month, the school's president told WRAL.
In an official statement reported by WTVD, the university said: “Once the next steps are completed, we expect another report containing results and analysis and will provide this information to you as soon as we receive it.” said. “Rest assured that our consultants are working as quickly as possible to get you answers regarding the building.”
