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Students, residents press Raleigh council to press NC State on PCB contamination in campus buildings
Summary
Multiple speakers told council that polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in university buildings — including Poe Hall and dorms — pose a public-health risk and asked Councilwoman Jane Harrison to use her campus ties to press the university for remediation and public transparency.
Students, alumni and residents urged the Raleigh City Council to press North Carolina State University to accelerate testing, mitigation and public notification after speakers described PCB contamination in campus buildings and adjacent areas.
“Once PCBs enter the environment and your body, they don't go away,” Sandy Alford told the council, showing a photograph of white, dusty caulk she described as “PCB laden caulk” on a seven‑story building. Alford asked the council to hold NCSU accountable for remediation and for public protections during demolition or remedial work.
Eric Martineau, a senior in environmental science at NC State, told the council that Gold Hall was tested in 2019 and “tested positive above the EPA limit for PCBs.” He said students living there were exposed for months and asked Councilwoman Jane Harrison—who he identified as an NC State faculty member—to advocate for affected students.
Speakers raised several specific concerns: that remediation on campus had been delayed, that work inside sealed buildings had occurred without public notice (Alford cited an April 16, 2024 incident at Poe Hall), and that remediation removals would release PCB‑laden dust that could be transported offsite. Alford noted EPA mitigation guidance such as using plastic sheeting and duct tape for containment and argued the university had not followed adequate precautions.
Speakers requested that council members with ties to the university press NCSU for transparent testing results, remediation plans, worker protections and information for current and former students about potential exposure. One speaker who identified as an alum said she had undergone multiple emergency medical procedures and suspected PCB exposure during dorm residency.
Council did not take formal action during public comment. Speakers said they would pursue additional engagement with council members and the university.
