Meth / Clandestine Drug Investigations

 

Methamphetamine and Clandestine Operations

 

Coast Environmental Group (COAST) provides experience in resolving contamination issues caused by the illegal manufacturing of Methamphetamine and Clandestine drugs.  With the involvement of state and local regulatory agencies, the assessment and remediation of contaminated properties has become, more or less, a standardized process in recent years. The process involves an initial assessment, followed by a written work plan for mitigation, then the actual remediation work, and lastly ending with a final “clearance” assessment to verify successful completion. Through this process, Coast is there to lead the effort, restoring property back to productive use. 

 

Coast’s professional staff can provide turn-key services, to clean up your contaminated property.  The initial assessment services we provide are important in conveying the nature and extent of contamination at a property.  The assessment includes comprehensive testing of various surfaces and components to aid in defining a specific clean-up plan for the property. The sample analysis is provided by qualified and credentialed laboratories, bringing validity and credibility to the assessment findings. The remediation work plan is an organized document that defines the details for clean-up, area by area, and surface by surface.  The work plan is formatted in a concise and user-friendly manner, making remediation clean-up a very straight-forward process with “built-in” success for completion. After remediation, Coast conducts a follow-up completion assessment that utilizes a visual inspection and surface sampling to determine whether clean-up has been completed to industry standards.  The post-remediation evaluation is designed to bring insurance to our customers that the property has been restored for safe and normal occupancy use. The post-remediation assessment is usually required by the local lead agency as a record of closure to the contamination issue, thus lifting any occupancy issues they may have imposed prior to the remediation effort.  With our expertise and experience, Coast can provide peace of mind for property managers and building owners restoring properties back into productive use.  If you believe Methamphetamine has been produced in your building, contact Coast Environmental today to start your inspection.

 

Background & Effects of Meth Labs

 

The most significant impact from a meth lab in a rental property is the contamination of the unit, thus forcing local agencies to temporarily close (red-tag) the property where illegal drugs are manufactured. People who live in a home where a meth lab has been operating previously often can suffer from a range of health issues. From inhalation to absorption through the skin, the toxins from meth production can cause problems, even from short-term exposure. Common ailments include headaches, nausea, fatigue, respiratory issues such as coughing and chest pain, skin burns, kidney damage, cancer and even death.

 

A meth lab in a rental property can be a landlord’s worst nightmare—from the illegal activity, to the destruction of the property, to the immense cost of clean-up. Not to mention potential legal action from property occupants. The government closely monitors the clean-up process for properties involving former meth labs. Therefore, until a property gets a clean bill of health (often several months later), the landlord cannot rent it out, resulting in significant amounts of lost income.

 

How Does a Meth Lab Affect the Property?

 

Meth labs are frequently set up in a variety of spaces, such as storage sheds, campgrounds, motel rooms, vacant buildings, garages and rental homes and apartments. The process of cooking meth leaves a toxic residue that contaminates walls, ceilings, furniture, and even the outdoor soil. These toxins can have significant health effects on anyone else who is exposed, both short term and long term. Not only are the chemicals used to cook meth highly toxic, but they are also volatile and therefore highly combustible. It’s very easy for meth labs to incur unplanned for explosions, damaging the property as well as neighboring areas, and endangering lives. A property owner is responsible for the cost of clean-up from an operating meth lab. The clean-up is not simply limited to scrubbing and removing garbage. Often running into the tens of thousands of dollars, meth lab clean-up is strictly regulated and must be inspected by a government agency before a property can be deemed livable again. If a meth lab has not been properly cleaned, the property owner will not be allowed to sell or rent the property. A meth lab location must be cleaned by professionals, and is an expensive process. When a meth lab is discovered in a rental property, the owner of the property is responsible to report the matter to local authorities and to ultimately bear the cost of clean-up. While most insurance companies don’t cover damages from meth labs, landlords should work closely with their insurance carriers for guidance and assistance to determine what policy options they have that best suit their coverage needs.  Additionally, insurance adjusters are an excellent resource in recommending qualified firms for assessment and clean-up of the property.

 

Certified Clean-up Process

 

Cleaning-up after a meth lab focuses on primary areas of contamination and secondary concern areas. Primary areas of contamination include the cooking and production areas, where affected surfaces and components involve everything from walls, floors, ceilings to contents, such as drapes and furniture.  Disposal areas such as sinks, toilets, septic tanks, fans, vents and storm and sewer systems, are also considered primary areas of contamination. Any storage areas that may have held chemicals before or after cooking also need to be cleaned properly. Secondary areas of contamination would include other rooms near the meth lab, hallways, and common areas where contamination may have occurred. A properly equipped and trained hazardous material company must do the clean-up of a meth lab. They will secure the site for the police investigation, and when given permission by law enforcement, they’ll remove the chemicals and equipment carefully and secure the site from trespassers. Then, the real clean-up begins.

 

Here are the general steps to properly cleaning-up a meth lab that the professionals will follow:

 

1. Air Out Property—Some chemicals will lose some potency when the area is allowed to properly air out. This also reduces some odors.

2. Rip Out and Remove—Any contaminated material will be removed, which often results in small demolition projects. Anything absorbent, like curtains, carpet, furniture, wallpaper and other soft goods must be removed. Contaminated objects like sinks, tubs, toilets and pipes must also be removed.

3. Washing—Clean-up crews will perform a chemical washing of non-porous and semi-porous areas like tile, walls, ceilings, countertops and more. In extreme cases, these things need to be replaced.

4. Clean Vents—The ventilation system will be cleaned, and all air filters replaced. Ductwork and surfaces will be thoroughly washed as well.

5. Clean Plumbing Systems—The clean-up crew will flush the plumbing system with a chemical cleaner to mitigate any contamination in the system. In extreme cases, the plumbing system might require replacement.

 

There are other steps that a cleanup crew may take depending on the location, severity and contamination levels from the meth lab. Once the clean-up is completed, the crew must perform tests to ensure that the unit is safe for future tenants. All states have set standards for testing that ensure the health and safety of any future occupants.  If the property fails the test, then more work is needed. If the property passes the health and safety test, the property owner will receive documentation stating that it is fit for occupancy.

 

Note – the California Department of Toxic Substance Control (CA DTSC), in conjunction with OEHHA, developed a health-based cleanup number of 1.5 ug/100 square centimeters (for tested surfaces) in homes identified as the location of former methamphetamine labs. This clean-up number was promulgated in statute by the passage of Assembly Bill 1489 in 2009.[RZ1] 

 

 

Landlord Responsibilities for Disclosure

 

Renting a property out, once it has been certifiably cleaned, can also be challenging for some landlords. Many states require landlords to disclose whether a rental property has been the site of previous methamphetamine contamination.  Check with your local authorities for details regarding disclosure.

 

To ask a question or schedule an appointment call 1-800-784-3336 or email us at admin@CoastEnviro.com