Rapid Response BioDecon, Inc. does professional Meth Lab Testing and Clean Up in FLORIDA, GEORGIA, ALABAMA, MISSISSIPPI, & SOUTH CAROLINA.
Cleaning up former Methamphetamine Labs
The methamphetamine (meth) lab problem is growing. Meth labs, used to make the illegal drug methamphetamine, are discovered in houses, apartments, motel rooms, sheds, or even motor vehicles. In 2007, federal, state and local authorities were involved in the seizure of more than 5000 labs in the U.S., and the number of meth labs seized by law enforcement agencies increases each year.
As the problem grows, and agencies seek to restrict the products needed to make methamphetamine, the methods and the locations of its production are changing. This adds to the difficulty and environmental agencies face in assessing meth related health risks.
Why the concern about cleaning up illegal meth labs?
Properties used to produce meth will usually be found with a lab-like setting; including containers of chemicals, heat sources, and various types of lab equipment. Typically, after a lab is discovered by law enforcement, the bulk of any lab-related debris, such as chemicals and containers, is removed. However, it is a certainty that large amounts of contamination are left on surfaces and in absorbent materials (carpets, furniture), sinks, drains and ventilation systems. Meth lab contaminants may pose health threats to persons exposed to them.
What are possible health effects from exposure to meth lab contaminants?
Many of the contaminants present during meth's cooking process can be harmful if someone is exposed to them. These contaminants can cause health problems including respiratory (breathing) problems, skin and eye irritation, headaches, nausea and dizziness. Acute (short-term) exposures to high concentrations of some of these chemicals, such as those law enforcement officers face when they first enter a lab, can cause severe health problems including lung damage and burns to different parts of the body.
There is little known about the health effects from chronic (long-term) exposure to contaminants left behind after a meth lab is dismantled. Until the contaminants have been identified, their quantities measured, and their health effects known, it is recommended that property owners exercise caution and use the safest possible cleaning practices in dealing with a former meth lab property and any possible remaining contamination.
The potential health effects depend on
the specific chemicals to which a person is exposed
how much of each chemical to which a person is exposed,
how long a person is exposed, and
the health condition of the person being exposed.
Exposure to meth residues may cause similar to those experienced by meth users.
Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may cause symptoms such as nose and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion and breathing difficulties. Benzene is a VOC known to cause cancer.
Acids or bases will cause a burning sensation on the skin and in mucous membranes, and can cause severe eye damage. Exposure to metals and salts can cause a wide range of health effects including respiratory irritation, decreased mental function, anemia, kidney damage and birth defects.
RAPID RESPONSE BIODECON is one of only a few companies in the State of Florida that employ OSHA Certified Meth Lab Decontamination Specialists who are experts in handling site contamination caused by illegal drug production. Our services include:
Physical on-site inspection
Law enforcement records research identifying the removal of gross contaminates
Development of the sampling strategy
Quality controlled sample collection
Sample analysis by a certified laboratory
Work Plan implementation with approval of appropriate environmental health agencies
Complete process decontamination
Decontamination of residue to levels below established clean up standards
Decontamination program structured to meet specific regulatory agency requirements
