Methamphetamine is a street drug commonly called “meth.” Meth is a highly addictive drug that results in a variety of health problems not only for the user, but also for anyone who is exposed to it secondhand. This includes the maker of the methamphetamine and any who are in close proximity to someone who is manufacturing meth.

Once a space or area has been contaminated with methamphetamine residue, it must be decontaminated. A residue and residual amount of the harmful chemicals remains behind to damage the health of those still occupying the space along with damaging the property.

When meth is smoked, snorted, swallowed, or injected it can result in:

Once a space or area has been contaminated with methamphetamine residue, it must be decontaminated. A residue and residual amount of the harmful chemicals remains behind to damage the health of those still occupying the space along with damaging the property.

When meth is smoked, snorted, swallowed, or injected it can result in:

• Damage to the liver
• Kidney problems
• Lung disorders
• Psychological illness
• Coma
• Death
• When injected, infectious diseases can result from contaminated needles
• Some of the short term side effects:
• Loss of memory
• Aggressiveness
• Chest pain and/or shortness of breath
• Twitches, jerking,
• Itchy, burning skin or eyes

Methamphetamine is a man-made stimulant that is a combination of many chemicals, and the drug itself varies greatly in chemical composition based on the recipe used to manufacture it. Meth can be pink, red white, brown, or shades of yellow or green. It is produced in many forms, including pills, powder, or chunks. It is referred to as ice, chalk, crystal, crank, glass, and speed.

It can also be a potential threat to new renters or homeowners. If a property has been used as a meth lab, then it must be decontaminated otherwise the residue it leaves behind (in carpet, drapes, on surfaces such as blinds, walls, counters, etc.) can harm anyone residing on the property.

The meth lab is where methamphetamine is produced. These labs are not legitimate laboratories, but rather homemade versions that lack many important safety features.

The materials used to cook meth can be bought at local stores, and anyone can go online to find the recipes for making meth. Some of the ingredients are actually household products that, when used properly, are safe. When these substances are mixed with other ingredients and cooked, though, chemical reactions occur. The result is often hazardous and unpredictable. Meth labs are known to cause chemical fires, toxic gases, and even explosions. Additionally, liquid and solid wastes are also produced in the process, and these byproducts can contaminate buildings, groundwater, and soil.

Meth laboratories can be found virtually anywhere. They may be located in a home, trailer, vehicle, or motel room. Sometimes, people live next door to one without knowing it exists. Be aware of the signs and report any suspicious activity to your local law enforcement for investigation. Some signs of a meth lab are:

• Blacked out windows
• Lots of trash with items such as drain cleaners, duct tape, antifreeze containers, coffee filters stained red
• In and out people traffic, especially at night
• Strong odors like ammonia
• Items such as Freon, Heet Lye, Drano, starting fluid, ether, battery acid, rock salt, hot plates

So often BCI runs into individuals who believe that having a meth lab on their property is worse than the actual usage of methamphetamine within their property. BCI is here to bust this myth. The contaminants of meth production and meth usage residue are equally damaging to both people and properties. While each carry their own set of risks, the meth residue from usage (smoking) is equally as harmful as the meth residue left behind from manufacturing.

Manufacturing or cooking meth is dangerous and toxic. The byproducts created as a result of the process are not disposed of properly and leave a lingering toxic footprint on any area in which the manufacturing occurred.

Five to seven pounds of chemical waste results from each pound of methamphetamine produced. Some of these chemical byproducts include hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, chloroform, and many other poisonous compounds. These chemicals are harmful to people, pets, and wildlife.

Even after the lab has been disbanded, the residue is still present and can cause anyone who enter’s the property several harmful side affects including but not limited to:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Itchy and sore eyes and skin
• Respiratory and breathing problems

The meth lab site is host to a myriad of problems. The entire structure and its contents are potentially contaminated—from furniture to drywall to plumbing. It is also possible for the contamination to spread from the site itself to surrounding areas as well.

It is very important to have the property that has been contaminated by either a meth lab or by the usage of meth decontaminated by a company that is certified to do the cleanup the proper way. That company is Bio Clean, Inc.