The Fight Against PCB Exposure: A North Carolina State University Alumni Lawsuit Against Monsanto and Matrix Health & Safety Consultants
A group of North Carolina State University alumni, former employees, and family members of deceased students have filed a lawsuit against Monsanto and Matrix Health & Safety Consultants, alleging that toxic PCBs found in Poe Hall caused breast cancer and other serious illnesses.
The lawsuit claims that Monsanto knowingly manufactured and sold toxic PCB chemicals for use in building materials, despite decades of evidence of their harmful effects. These chemicals were used in the construction of Poe Hall, contaminating the building's air, dust, and HVAC system, and exposing generations of students and staff. The plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages, along with a jury trial.
Monsanto, now owned by Bayer, produced PCB chemicals in the mid-20th century due to their durability. They were used in many high-traffic buildings between the 1920s and late 1970s, and were banned by the EPA in 1979, eight years after Poe Hall was built. The World Health Organization now recognizes PCBs as a known carcinogen.
In response, Monsanto stated that they will vigorously defend the lawsuit, expressing sympathy for those diagnosed with serious illnesses. They argue that the claims lack merit and will respond in court. The company highlights that the science does not support a causal connection between low-level PCB exposure and the illnesses alleged, and that air testing conducted by NC State found all samples below EPA guidelines.
However, testing inside Poe Hall between 2023 and 2024 revealed PCB levels far exceeding safe limits, found in caulking, electrical equipment, dust, and air. The lawsuit also accuses Matrix Health & Safety Consultants of negligence, alleging they failed to recommend critical indoor air testing in 2018, allowing dangerous PCB exposure to continue undetected.
This is not the first lawsuit of its kind. A similar case was filed against NC State, claiming the university failed to protect students and deliberately avoided in-depth testing for decades. NC State has responded by pursuing accountability against Monsanto for damages.
Connecticut and Vermont have also filed lawsuits against Monsanto over PCB contaminants in public buildings. Since Poe Hall's closure in November 2023, over 200 people have reported developing cancer after working or studying there, with breast cancer rates three times the local county rate in 2022.
PCBs are stored in fat cells and not easily expelled from the body. Prolonged exposure can lead to various health issues, including cancer and other diseases, as well as mental defects. Attorneys representing those affected plan to file more lawsuits, with over 600 clients so far.
The North Carolina State University lawsuit against Monsanto seeks to hold the company accountable for the toxic PCB contamination of Poe Hall, representing over 200 workers and alumni who developed cancer after years of exposure.
