Wake County, North Carolina

Southeast Regional Library in Wake County, North Carolina, has closed until Nov. 2 after staff reported symptoms including burning eyes, brain fog, and dizziness, which they linked to fumes from an ongoing roof replacement project. According to Wake County Library Workers United, staff evacuated the building on Oct. 1 as visitors arrived for a children's storytime event, and the group alleges administrators failed to plan adequate safety measures and did not properly address health concerns raised by employees.

A county spokesperson said the General Services Administration investigated after a fume report on Sept. 28, adjusting air handling equipment, but could not conclusively determine the fumes' source after multiple site visits. A later report prompted a safety coordinator visit, though no smell was detected at that time. The county says it took added precautions, including ventilation adjustments, air purges, and fans, before suspending operations. The Board of Commissioners had approved the roofing project in April at a cost of over $500,000.