A commitment to well-being and safety

The recent article stemmed from an October 2023 TikTok video in which a 2015 alumna stated that she and six of her college friends had been diagnosed with various types of cancer within five years of her graduation year. In the video, the alumna stated that a “cancer cluster investigation report” was filed with the Virginia Department of Health, but the health department declined to investigate.

Roanoke College’s top priority is the safety and well-being of our students. When we saw the video and heard that the alumna had filed a report with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), we reached out to the VDH to check on any existence and/or status of a report and to ascertain whether the college needed to take any action. The VDH, the official investigating body in such cases, communicated to Roanoke College that there is no evidence for concern about increased cancer rates or a cancer cluster in our community. 

No, we have not received any correspondence about such concerns. Additionally, as referenced above, the VDH has expressed that there is no evidence of increased cancer rates in our college community. 

No. Roanoke College was not contacted by any alumni about these concerns prior to the publication of the article.

 The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) define a cancer cluster as a greater-than-expected number of cancer cases that occur within a group of people in a defined geographic area over a specific period of time. According to the American Cancer Society, “Cancer is a group of more than 100 different diseases. Each type of cancer has its own risk factors and causes. True cancer clusters rarely involve more than one type of cancer.” The ACS also reports that cancer cluster investigations rarely reveal a true cause for concern: “To help illustrate this point, in a scientific review of over 500 cancer cluster investigations done over 20 years, only about 1 in 8 found a true increase in cancer rates, and in only one case was a clear cause for the increase found.” Furthermore, the ACS reports “If the excess cancer cases include many different types of cancer over a period of many years, it’s not likely to be a true cancer cluster, or to be caused by a single environmental factor or exposure.” The boundaries of the “defined geographic area” also must be carefully considered, the ACS says: “Moving the boundaries (for example, to make the area larger or smaller) might make it look more or less likely that a cancer cluster exists.” For much more about cancer clusters, visit the American Cancer Society webpage on the topic.

No, not to our knowledge.  

Yes. Roanoke College has contracted with an independent, national, and esteemed environmental services company who will assist us in approaching this topic in a logical and scientific manner. The company will soon begin its work, which may involve collaboration with an independent epidemiologist and scientists at the Virginia Department of Health to gather additional information. Our consultants are experts in their field and they will help us determine next steps.

No. Roanoke College performs all required maintenance and testing and has never received information that would lead us to believe our campus is unsafe for any reason.

Asbestos is/has been present across the nation in buildings constructed prior to government regulation of the substance, including at Roanoke College. We have always followed industry best practices and the same strict asbestos remediation guidelines required of any institution. Other than common asbestos remediation, we’ve never had cause to suspect any environmental hazards on campus. 

First, we have immense empathy for anyone who is diagnosed with cancer and we are deeply saddened to learn of some alumni and faculty members who are battling, or have passed from, this terrible disease. It is a burden that nobody should have to bear. Unfortunately, cancer is all too common in America, where it is the second-leading cause of death, and it has been reported by media outlets and medical journals that cancer rates are on the rise in young people in America, and doctors do not fully understand why. We would also reiterate that the Virginia Department of Health has communicated to the college that there is no evidence for concern about increased cancer rates in our college community. Roanoke College’s top priority is the safety and well-being of our students. 

There is no known correlation between mold exposure and increased cancer risk.

No. Roanoke College performs all required maintenance on its facilities and has never received information that would lead us to believe our campus is unsafe for any reason. Mold is naturally occurring and is all around us, outdoors and indoors. It is not uncommon in residences, so it is not rare or unusual to occasionally find it in residence halls, especially when moisture is present, such as with condensation from a window air conditioning unit. Many colleges, including James Madison University, have web pages on their sites that explain this. Roanoke College students occasionally report the presence of suspected mildew or mold in residence halls, and when this happens, our facilities office responds as quickly as possible to inspect and clean the area (usually within one business day). Often, reports of mold are found to be surface mildew, which is easily cleaned with bleach or other disinfectants. However, we have hired professional, independent environmental contractors on multiple occasions to test for mold in areas of concern. Those tests have never found toxic mold in our buildings. In fact, they have revealed that indoor mold spore levels are lower than the levels found in the air outside.  

Based on information provided to us by the reporter herself, a student collected samples from campus on their own and submitted them with a mail-in, DIY kit to an environmental testing company. They did not use a professional testing service that collects its own samples. Additionally, we do not have any verified information about where the samples came from or the chain of custody once they were collected.

No. The College, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health, has no reason to believe that the campus is unsafe. Experts that we have consulted have expressed concerns about the insinuation (in the article) of a causal relationship considering the limited data set and lack of accounting for many variables such as genetic predispositions and exposure to hazards outside of Salem. We recognize that a healthy, positive and productive college experience requires the confidence to live, study and work without the fear of hazards outside one’s control. That’s why we want to be emphatically clear that we unequivocally believe Roanoke College is a safe, healthy place for students to learn and for employees to work. The safety and well-being of our community members is paramount to us, and we would do anything in our power to quickly address questions or concerns of this nature. Moving forward, should any legitimate cause for concern arise, we will act expeditiously to investigate it and cooperate with any investigation.

We want everyone in the Roanoke College community to feel safe and informed about these allegations. Updates will be published on this website and will be emailed if warranted. 

Molds are a type of fungi that can be found virtually everywhere in the environment. The term encompasses thousands of species that come in different colors and textures.  

Outdoors, mold plays an essential role in breaking down fallen leaves, dead trees and other organic debris. Indoors, it can be an allergen or irritant for people with sensitivities and should be removed.

Mold spreads through tiny spores that are invisible to the eye and continually floating outside in nature. Once tracked inside by our daily movements, spores can grow in damp conditions.  

Mildew is one of the familiar types of household mold. 

Mold should be reported immediately so it can be addressed by Buildings and Grounds. Reports are simple and easy to file online using your Roanoke College email address. Detailed information and photos, when available, are helpful. 

Not sure if something is mold? File a report so our trained staff can assess it. 

Every single report filed through the college's system is tracked and acted on by Buildings and Grounds. Trained personnel inspect the site, fix the source of moisture and thoroughly clean. In many instances, mold can be removed from hard surfaces with a disinfecting solution.  

Mold reports are deemed high priorities and receive swift response. 

On multiple occasions, Roanoke College has also hired professional, independent environmental contractors to test for mold in areas where concerns were raised.

Those tests have never revealed the presence of toxic mold on campus. In addition, tests have found that indoor mold spore levels were lower than the levels found in the air outside.

Out of thousands of work order requests filed each year, only a small number report concerns about mold. The most common reports stem from small instances of mildew in showers and window air conditioning units. In some cases, remediation includes counseling residents on best practices such as not obstructing A/C unit airflow with furniture.  
  
Not all reports are found to be mold once assessed. Dust, rust and other materials are sometimes mistaken for mold growth.  

The possibility of mold in large residential settings is a common consideration that our staff monitors vigilantly and responds to swiftly. No systemic issues with mold conditions have been found.   

The key to curbing mold is to curb moisture buildup. Mold spores on their own are omnipresent in the environment and can never be completely eliminated from indoor settings, according to experts. 

But spores need moisture to grow. The Virginia Department of Health advises: “There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment, but you can prevent excessive mold growth by controlling moisture in your home.” 

Here are a few strategies that can help avoid mold growth indoors:  

• Report leaks or other water problems immediately so repairs can be made. 
   
• Don’t block airflow around A/C units or vents with furniture, clothing, plants or other obstructions. Keep vents open to facilitate airflow. Stagnant air can contribute to moisture buildup. 
   
• Don’t put wet clothes/towels in your hamper, closet or other enclosed space. Don’t hang wet items to dry between your bed frame and mattress as it can promote mold growth on the mattress. 
   
• Practice good housekeeping. That includes wiping down wet countertops, quickly cleaning and drying spills (including spills on flooring and rugs), regularly emptying trash/recycling, and routinely cleaning bathrooms in dorms with private baths.  
   
• If your bathroom includes an exhaust fan, turn it on before showering and keep it on an extra 15-20 minutes afterward. Draw your shower curtain closed to help it dry. 
   
• Keep windows closed when air conditioning or heating is in use. This helps manage indoor humidity levels that can promote mold growth.  

Questions or concerns can be shared with us at questions@roanoke.edu. In addition, more information about mold and prevention is available from these resources:

• Virginia Department of Health
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention