Federal budget cuts stop air-quality review at Wake County government building
The federal government will not test for mold, formaldehyde and radon gas in a Wake County government building due to budget cuts.
Wake County asked the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to conduct an independent review of test results at the Eastern Regional Center, at 1002 Dogwood Drive in Zebulon.
The center is one of several county buildings that provide services like food and nutrition benefits, Medicaid, child health services and employment services.
“Employees at the Eastern Regional Center were notified on Feb. 12 that the County would be conducting air quality testing to evaluate levels of mold spores, formaldehyde and radon gas within the building,” said Kate Maroney, external communications division director. “On March 7, employees were informed that the results were all within acceptable limits and there are no identified areas of concern.”
Wake County then asked NIOSH to “conduct an independent review of the test results” but was told April 22, due to budget cuts, that would not happen.
“The County remains committed to maintaining a healthy and safe work environment for all employees and is actively exploring alternative options to further validate that air quality remains within safe and acceptable standards,” Maroney said.
The News & Observer has asked why the county requested the outside review and other questions and will update this story when the county responds.
Federal budget cuts
NIOSH normally conducts health hazard evaluations at no cost to employers. It assesses whether health hazards are present at a workplace and “recommends ways to reduce hazards and prevent work-related illness,” according to its website.
“Due to the reduction in force across NIOSH, no new health hazard evaluation requests can be accepted,” its website now says.
The Associated Press reported an initial 850 out of 1,000 employees were laid off in early April in a series of federal cuts since President Donald Trump took office. CBS News reported that nearly all remaining staff have been cut as of last week.
A health hazard evaluation into Poe Hall at N.C. State University also ended due to the cuts, The News & Observer reported previously. Poe Hall was closed after preliminary test results showed toxic, man-made PCB, or polychlorinated biphenyls, on surfaces throughout the building.
This story was originally published May 9, 2025 at 11:29 AM.
