******SPECIAL REPORT!****** Meth Labs in Homes

OK, so some of you knew that I attended a workshop today on Meth Labs in Homes.....the information I received was startling! Lets get to the facts first....

State Regulations

~Currently 18 states are regulated and have established remediation standards

~May states have regulations at city and county levels

~Many have also set standards for other contaminates involved in meth production

~Many have also established disclosure laws for the ssale and/or lease of any former clan lab

~Louisiana does require the disclosure of known meth lab activity

Louisiana Regulations

~No state specific regulations regarding testing and/or decontamination of illegal drug lab properties....

**Remediation can cost upwards of $160, per room for lab testing alone....to remediate the problem--a 1500 SF home, 3/2 can cost in the range of 18-20K!!!!!

~The property disclosure statement lists the following which applies to meth comntamination

*Does the property or any of it's structures contain any of the following? (Check all that apply and provide the nature and frequency at the end of this section.)

Crystal meth exposure ()Y ()N ()NK

(for those of you who don't know, the property owner is required to fill out this paperwork......this about this for a minute....it's a legal document that is public record...you think anyone will report that?!?!?!?!)

~You can find a partial list on the DEA website, however it's not regularly updated or maintained....

~http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/seizures/louisiana.html

National Statistics

~Approximately 1 in 10 labs discovered

~Some states report 1 in 30 discovered

~Current estimates indicate 2-3 million unidentified labs exist in the U.S. alone

~75% of known meth labs are rentals

Louisiana Statistics

DEA REPORTED ROUGHLY 2,264 CLAN LAB SEIZURES BETWEEN 1997 & 2007

Statistically = 22,640 labs

1 in 10 labs busted

This would be considered a conservative estimate in some areas of the country. The west coast saw the first high concentration of meth labs in the early 1990's and now the east coasts are being infiltrated....

Meth Manufacturing

Most common methods

RED-P

Red Phosphorous, Pseudoephedrine, Blue Iodine (red, white and blue)

Anhydrous

Anhydrous Ammonia, sodium Metal or Lithium

(NAZI Method) or (Birch Method)

~All methods of manufacturing include the oxidization & reduction or synthesisation

~In most cases, reagents are also created prior to the actual cook

~Many of the chemicals and substances are extremely reactive when heated or mixed woth the other substances

~During the process gases and airborne contaminates are produced leaving hazardous residues

behind

Meth Use

Common Question

Does meth contaminate? YES!!!

Many states have established secondary cleanup requirements for meth use properties.

Blood Borne Pathogens

Micro organisms which have the capability to live outside of the human body for prolonged periods of time

~95% of intravenous drug users test positive for Hepatitis

~15% of intravenous drug users test positive for HIV

Florida Medical Examiners office reported 58 deaths attributed to meth between Jan & June of 2006

What To Look For

~Strong Smells

~Urine

~Unusual chemical odor or either, ammonia or acetone

~Windows blacked out

~People going outside to smoke

~Strange ventilation equipment

~Open windows and seemingly inappropriate times

~signs of chemical burns and spills

~Dark red stains in sinks, tubs or toilets

~Visible areas in yard where chemicals have been dumped or burned

~Packaging or containers from large quantities of cold medicines

~Jars containing clear liquid whith white or red colored solids or crystals

~Jars or cans with rubber hoses connected

~Propane tanks with fittings turning green or blue

~Excessive amounts of trash

~ Alcohol, benzenes, paint thinner, starter fluid, heat, ammonia, red phosphorous, Drano, Lye, muriatic acid, batteries, match boxes, Epsom salt, cold tablets, rock salt, camp stove fuel propane cylinders

FOR EVERY POUND OF METH PRODUCES AN ESTIMEATED 5-7 PUNDS OF TRASH!!

~Property may have already been cleaned if bank owned or foreclosed

~The cleaned debris has likely been already removed

~No testing or decontamination has been done

If You Suspect A Meth House

~Do not open coolers

~Do not touch any items

~Handling meth waste can burn your skin and eyes

~Breathing in gases can send you to the hospital

Exhaust Fans

~MUST be inspected

~Many will have altered ventilation

~In some cases ducting will be directed into another area or structure

Heating/Cooling System (HVAC)

~Of most concern are central forced air heating and cooling systems. These systems will concentrate cantamination in almost every case.

~These systems can trans locate contamination throughout the entire house

~In most cases HVAC's must be completely removed or disposed of

Painting / Encapsulation

~Encapsulation should NEVER be considers an alternative or decontamination

~Never encapsulate until standards are met

~Use only poly based coatings

~Encapsulation can be used to prevent cross contamination when removing contaminated materials

Sampling

~A comprehensive sampling must be implemented

~Pre sampling will be biased

~Post sampling wil be tandom

~Both must be documented

~Documentation will be noted on a floor plan and photograph

~only quantitative sampling analysis should be used for pre and post tests

Sample Types

~Qualitative:

simply shows a presence or absence without an actual numeric value

~Quantitative:

shows an actual numerical value of residue in delineated areas

Documentation

Each sample must be documented

~Floor plan

~Photos

~Quality Control

Surface Sample Wipes

~Non-absorbent surfaces including: counter tops, floors, walls, ceilings, appliances and plumbing fixtures

~Absorbent sampling generally not applicable , materials must be disposed of

Sampling

~The most recognized method of sampling in the nation is surface wipe sampling

~The most recognized area of sampling in the nation is:

One Hundred Square Centimeters or 100CM(2)

~The area is equal to an area of 4x4 inches

Sample Analysis

~Samples are tested for meth only

~Testing for other constitutes is very expensive

~Analysis sould only be performed by a certified lab familiar with meth analysis

~Many states require testing for other drugs

Current Standards

~What are acceptable residue levels??

The most recognized standard of residual contamination nationwide is:

point one micrograms per one hundred square meters

Test For What???

~The actual molecule is considered extremely resilient and very insoluble

~This is why it is used as the marker

~It is also very inexpensive to analyze which makes sampling more affordable

Meth Blank/Field Bank Quality Control

~A quality control sample known as the method blank or field bank must be included with every experiment ~The purpose of it is to prove that not pre or cross contamination took place
~A chain of custody must also accompany all samples from cradle to grave

I hope you have found this information as useful as I did.....If you suspect meth use in a home you are interest in, I would suggest moving on......you can also check police records for garrets at the address and talk to the neighbors.....if anyone will know, the neighbors will!! Don't wait till it's too late! Meaning after you buy.....

Meth lab pictures for renters, realtors, home owners, home buyers

July 16, 2009 by Meth Lab Homes

ClICK HERE: http://methlabhomes.com/2009/07/meth-lab-picture-for-renters-realtors-home-owners-and-buyers/

Here's someone's story...I mean nightmare: http://methlabhomes.com/my-meth-lab-home-story/

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, DO YOUR OWN HOMEWORK.....IN THE END, UNFORTUNATELY, YOU WILL BE LEFT HOLDING THE BAG.......

Make it an awesome day!!

Nicole Dion-LeBlanc, Realtor
nicole@for-sale-for-rent.com
www.For-Sale-For-Rent.com