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House Decontamination & More About Meth Lab Cleanup
Importance of Professional Meth Lab Cleaning
Methamphetamine (meth) is a drug that is growing in popularity among users and dealers. People create and cook meth in an environment using many chemicals and equipment.
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Methamphetamine Lab Incidents list there were 11,210 clandestine laboratory incidents in 2012. This is down from 13,390 in 2011. Missouri leads the country at 1,825 incidents. Right behind is Tennessee at 1,585 and Indiana at 1,429. New York, California and Texas report 147, 79, and 32 busts respectively.
But these numbers can be deceiving.
Some methamphetamine labs literally go up in flames as fires and explosions are telltale signs of chemistry gone bad. However, most go undetected by police. In reality, law enforcement busts only a fraction of clandestine laboratories. So what happens to undetected labs and what are the procedures for identifying contamination and cleaning the structures so they are safe for re-occupancy?
This first step is identifying the danger. Here are some things to watch for before entering a suspect structure:
- Police Activity
- Pungent Odors
- Unkempt Property
- Empty Chemical Containers:
- The DEA
If you believe there is a meth lab in your neighborhood, you must contact law enforcement for an investigation. Law enforcement can then contact an appropriate professional cleaning service to complete the meth lab cleaning. If you attempt to clean the property yourself, you are endangering yourself and others. Take a look below at why it is important for only professionals to clean up a meth lab.
Meth Lab Cleanup Costs Video
Instructional video on the importance of expertly trained Meth Lab Cleanup Crews
Meth Lab Cleanup Services Done Rigth
If you believe there is a meth lab in your neighborhood, you must contact law enforcement for an investigation. Law enforcement can then contact an appropriate professional cleaning service to complete the meth lab cleaning. If you attempt to clean the property yourself, you are endangering yourself and others. Take a look below at why it is important for only professionals to clean up a meth lab. Learn more about Meth Lab Cleanup Costs below.
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The Process of Meth Lab Cleanup Costs
From dangers to removing any associated objects and who regulates us
Dangers of Meth Cleanup
Before the cleanup process can begin, it is important to know the dangers of possible worker exposure. Meth labs are highly toxic chemical mine fields. Fire and explosions pose an immediate risk due to the volatile compounds used in production. Entering a meth lab before proper assessment by law enforcement or before proper testing and cleaning can cause symptoms ranging from coughing, nausea and dizziness, to chemical burns and even death. Routes of exposure from meth lab chemicals occur thorough inhalation, absorption or through direct skin contact and ingestion.
Containers, Equipment, and Chemicals
In a meth lab, there are many containers, equipment, and toxic chemicals for cooking meth. These harmful chemicals can include a variety of ingredients, such as solvents, acids, paint thinners, and ammonia. If you come into contact with any of these chemicals or equipment, you could expose yourself to very harmful side effects. Some side effects include rashes and skin/eye irritations, dizziness, nausea, respiratory issues, and headaches. Not to mention, some of the cooking equipment used poses a threat of possible explosions if not handled properly. In fact, if you clean a meth lab and are in contact with these chemicals, you are at risk for serious health concerns and even death.
Who Regulates Them?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not officially regulate the cleanup of meth labs but does provide Meth Lab Cleanup Guidelines for reference. Every state has an independent procedural and clearance mandate for re-occupancy. Links to state regulatory data can be found here regarding the Meth Lab Cleanup Guidelines. Meth Lab cleanup costs are directly associated with the amount of work that correlates with bringing the environment back to safety standards and conditions.
Professional Meth Lab Cleanup Services and Costs
The average drug lab cleanup costs is between $12,000-$17,000. Again the price varies greatly with the levels of contamination and the size of the house
Why you need to leave the cleaning to professionals:
While you may wish to take care of the lab clean up in your neighborhood, it is not as simple as you might think. You can’t simply clean out the equipment or throw it away, as the chemicals can linger if not cleaned properly. Professional contractors have the expert knowledge, skills, and equipment to clean up the lab. Contractors will need to remove more than the equipment, such as the HVAC system, vehicles, etc.
After the removal of items, the entire lab will need to be decontaminated in a way only professionals know how to do. Additionally, parts of a home such as the floors, air ducts, insulation, etc. will need to be decontaminated. And, most people would not think to clean or disinfect these items. After the cleanup and decontamination are complete, the lab will need to be removed or the home restored. This is another task that only a professional contractor is knowledgeable to complete.
Example Photo of a Meth House Cleanup
Notice all the potential danger risks in the image below
Cleaning up a Meth house or lab needs to be taken seriously
Making crystal meth involves a witch's brew of ordinary household products like acetone, acids, brake cleaner and iodine, which are all used to cook cold medicine containing pseudoephedrine into meth.
Bottles of paint thinner, drain opener or muriatic or other acids are strong indicators that someone has been making meth, as are propane tanks or other heat sources used to cook the drug. Sinks stained red by phosphorus, chemical smells and powdery residues left in glass cookware are also telltale signs.
Meth residue on walls, how to clean clean meth residue, dangers of meth labs, meth residue on clothes, why are meth labs dangerous, how to get rid of meth residue in a house, meth residue in house. Meth Lab Cleaning costs can vary due to the amount of damage and conditions.
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