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Environmental Messages

In late spring 2024, Roanoke College engaged an EPA-accredited firm, Environmental Consulting Services Mid-Atlantic (ECS), to conduct a battery of environmental tests on campus. The testing was initiated after an online magazine published an article that implied, without evidence, that there is a link between cancer cases in young alumni and the time they spent at Roanoke College. Although the Virginia Department of Health said there was no evidence to support a cancer cluster at Roanoke, the college engaged ECS for testing out of an abundance of caution and to ease the minds of concerned community members.
 
At ECS's advice, the testing was conducted on the main campus and the Elizabeth Campus, and it consisted of testing for lead in water, radon, and 65 volatile organic compounds in sub-slab vapors. At the conclusion of the testing, ECS reported that the college's results were remarkably good. Testing identified only minor issues, which were remediated by the college even in cases when ECS did not recommend remediation. The testing also identified some moisture intrusion issues, which the college is working diligently to address. 
 
Roanoke College pledged transparency at the start of this process. To that end, the college provided seven updates throughout the past year. Links to those updates are provided on this page.