Following calls for action from Congresswoman Ross, North Carolina State University (NC State) announced that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will resume an investigation into dangerous polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) found at NC State’s Poe Hall. This news comes after Congresswoman Ross demanded that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reverse staff cuts that resulted in the abrupt discontinuation of an investigation into toxic exposure at Poe Hall.

“Secretary Kennedy’s decision to discontinue the Poe Hall investigation as well as similar inquiries nationwide was wrong and could have cost lives,” said Congresswoman Ross. “I’m relieved that NIOSH heeded my call and will move forward with its probe of toxic chemical exposure at the facility. It’s time for leaders in the Trump administration to stop their reckless assault on federal agencies, which provide life-saving assistance to the people of North Carolina.”

NIOSH originally opened a study in February 2024 after high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) – toxic chemicals linked to cancer – were detected at the facility. Earlier this month Congresswoman Ross sent a letter to Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after learning that HHS terminated 85% of NIOSH personnel, effectively ending the study.

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