Over 150 NC State Students And Staff Diagnosed With Cancer

(RepublicanPress.org) – According to the CDC, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic materials toxic to humans and animals. Multiple government agencies concluded that PCBs are possible carcinogens. Before 1977, the United States used them in various types of manufacturing. Unfortunately, the chemicals were used in Poe Hall at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. It was closed in November 2023, which seemed to be too late for many.

In February, Five On Your Side (WRAL News) revealed it spent nearly three months investigating Poe Hall and cancer instances amongst NC State alumni. It independently confirmed 40 cases of cancer in those who attended Poe Hall — and some of them died.

Since then, over 150 students, former students, and staff have reported cancer diagnoses and other diseases they link to the hall. WRAL News reported that NC State closed Poe Hall after testing discovered high levels of PCBs in the women’s bathroom and other places — 38 times higher than EPA safety levels.

The source told the story of Sarah Glad, a former graduate student who spent time in Poe Hall. When she developed stage four breast cancer, Glad agreed to an interview with WRAL News, but that would never happen. She died of the disease in January. Her husband, Robbie Glad, now wants to do what he can to spread awareness so others can get checked. He wants more transparency from NC State.

An NC State employee told the news outlet that their employer didn’t seem to care enough about the alleged consequences of attending Poe Hall and what these “families have gone through.”

The university reportedly used a survey sent to cancer victims to ask for a federal Health Hazard Evaluation from the CDC’s National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH). Months later, NC State’s general counsel reportedly “withdrew the request.” However, the university claimed it didn’t stop the investigation—NIOSH did.

NC State now faces several lawsuits from the 152 patients who tie their illnesses to the university.