Decontaminate a meth lab: What you have to do when the police leave

What happens after the police bust a home that’s been used as a meth lab? When there has been a meth lab bust at the home, an initial cleanup of the property will be conducted by a Hazmat crew that will be called in by the police. The Hazmat team will remove any containers and chemicals that they find on the property, afterwhich a sign should be posted on the property warning others that the property is unsafe. The removal of the containers, chemicals and other drug paraphernalia that are found at a meth lab are just the first step in the process of a meth lab clean up.

Step two is the decontamination process, which includes the removal of the chemicals that remain inside of the home. Responsibility for the decontamination of a former meth lab is given to the home owner, including the cost of hiring professionals who are skilled at removing any remaining toxic chemical residues in the home. Certified professionals must insure that a home or other property meets all standards set by the state where the home is located.

Some states require that “cleaned” properties meet strict state regulations about the chemical contaminants that remain in homes where meth has been manufactured, however not all states do. Self-cleaning a property is not recommended as the cleaning chemicals can react with the chemicals that remain in the home, which can have unpredictable and life threatening health and safety consequences.

Current laws say that removing the chemicals and containers found at a meth lab site, is all that state and local agencies are required to do after a meth lab has been discovered. After the police leave, it’s up to the property owner to pay for the expense of decontaminating their property.

Chronic Toxicity: The meth lab toxins that keep on giving

What kind of health problems can be caused by living in a home that’s been used as a meth lab? Living in a former meth lab home that is still contaminated with toxic chemicals over a period of months or years can have long term effects on your health. Long term exposure to toxins is known as chronic toxicity.

Chronic toxicity, put simply, is the illness that arises  after you’ve been exposed to small amounts of toxic chemicals over a long period of time. According to the Partnership for a Drug Free America, chronic exposure to meth lab chemicals leads to chronic Read more

Caveat Emptor – Essential Latin words for meth lab home buyers

Caveat Emptor is a term that lawyers, judges, and realtors know well, but how many home buyers know what it means? If you’re not a lawyer, judge, or a realtor, you probably don’t know or care what Caveat Emptor means. Yet, if you’re thinking about buying a home, it is probably one of the most important Latin terms that you should know.
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What are VOCS ?

VOCS or “volatile organic compounds” are carbon-based chemicals that evaporate easily at room temperature. VOCS can be found in everyday products like paint, varnish, paint stripping chemicals and adhesives. Although, commonly used for legitimate purposes, they are also used in the process of manufacturing methamphetamine.

Exposure to VOCS cause health problems, which Read more

Smurfing – It’s not about cartoons anymore

Smurfing definition – buying ingredients to make meth by purchasing ingredients used to make meth in small quantities from several locations. The increase in smurfing by meth cooks have grown from the passage of laws restricting the sale of products containing pseudoephedrine and the increased awareness of the public about meth labs. Read more

Meth Tweaker – the boogie man is real

What does a meth tweaker look like? What does a meth tweaker act like? A meth tweaker is a heavy meth abuser who hasn’t slept for days.  Tweakers can go as long as 15 days without sleep. Their behavior is highly unpredictable and frequently violent.

Here are some common signs of someone addicted to meth:

Eyes - The eyes of someone high on meth will move 10 times faster than normal and may even roll back. If they are also using alcohol, their eyes may Read more