Methamphetamine Assessments

Illegal drug labs have become a growing problem in California for law enforcement agencies and landlords renting residential properties. Clandestine drug labs are found in homes, apartments, hotel and motel rooms, mobile homes, outbuildings, storage facilities, vehicles and watercraft. Property is contaminated if it has been used for the illegal manufacturing ofrusted barrels 1-1 methamphetamine. Health effects caused by exposure to illegal drug lab chemicals depend on the lab process, the chemicals used, amount of chemical and length of exposure. Chemicals may enter the body by being breathed, eaten, or absorbed through the skin. Exposure to high levels of contaminants found in illegal drug labs can cause shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, dizziness, lack of coordination, chemical irritation, and burns to the skin, eyes, mouth and nose, and in severe cases, death. Cases have been reported where children living in a house or other structure, which formerly contained an illegal drug lab, encountered lingering health problems.

Determining the extent of methamphetamine contamination is a California state law and is extremely important to property owners who would like to re-occupy or sell their property. Local environmental health departments require an inspection of property with sampling, house fire-1analysis, written abatement plan and clearance sampling upon the discovery of on-site clandestine laboratory activities.

Through local county environmental health departments BEM provides inspection services that comply with California state laws. Through our inspection, sampling and analyses we offer methamphetamine consulting through the following.

  • Initial inspection services utilizing surface swab sampling biohazardtechniques
  • Detailed scope of work to be followed for remediation
  • Clearance inspection services utilizing surface swab sampling techniques
  • Final sign-off for County Environmental Health Departments