NC State begins cleaning, removal of certain items from Poe Hall

Dozens of boxes on Friday were stacked in a loading dock preparing for the move.

Cancer-causing chemicals called PCBs were found during testing in Poe Hall in October, and the building was evacuated in November.

On December 18, university officials sent a letter to faculty and staff asking them to identify items still inside Poe Hall that are essential for teaching, research and administrative operations. Staff were asked to file a request to have them removed from the building.

The university said each removed item will be cleaned under the guidance of environmental consultants before being returned to its rightful owner.

The letter said a full clean-out of Poe Hall was not being planned at this time.

On January 4, another letter was sent to College of Education employees stating the removal and cleaning of essential items from Poe Hall was expected to be completed by January 8.

Porous materials like chairs with fabric, personal belongings and other items deemed non-essential cannot be removed according to the letter.

Friday morning, WRAL News saw a stack of dozens of boxes in front of an Environmental Services vehicle in a Poe Hall loading dock.

There was also a dumpster in the loading dock that appeared to be full of air filters. Much of the PCB contamination was found in the HVAC system.