NC State Sues Monsanto (Bayer) Over Poe Hall PCBs

North Carolina State University filed a lawsuit Wednesday in Wake County against Monsanto (now owned by Bayer) over toxic PCBs found in Poe Hall, which has been closed since November 2023 after testing revealed high PCB levels. The 78‑page complaint alleges Monsanto manufactured and marketed PCB‑containing building materials in 1971 as non‑toxic while knowing the chemicals are toxic, persistent, prone to migrate, and can off‑gas through HVAC systems, contaminating indoor air and surfaces. More than 200 former students and workers have reported cancers after spending time in Poe Hall, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is investigating the building’s health hazards. NC State is seeking hundreds of millions of dollars to remediate or potentially demolish Poe Hall and to have Monsanto assume liability for future personal‑injury and workers’ compensation claims. Monsanto has called the lawsuit meritless, saying PCB‑containing products were manufactured, sold, installed, and maintained by third parties and the university, and NC State says it will begin remediation work before the case is resolved while pursuing accountability and cleanup funding.