METHAMPHETAMINE TESTING & REMEDIATION SERVICE

There are however times, where there are visible indicators of meth manufacture or meth use. Some of the signs commonly encountered in houses that have been contaminated through meth smoking include:

• Presence of clip seal bags, needles, alco pad prep wipes

• Yellow/brown staining on the ceilings and walls

• Missing light globes

• Manipulation of the smoke detector

• Covering of windows with alfoil or some other material

• Damage to walls/doors

Indicators the property has been used to manufacture meth include:

• Presence of chemicals such as acids, toluene, drain cleaner, caustic soda etc

• Funnels, hoses, heating implements

• Gas bottles with blue staining around the nozzle

• Peculiar odours

• Chemical dump sites in the rear yard

If you observe any of the above, it is possible the property has been used to make or smoke methamphetamine.

Contracting a standard cleaning company for a meth house testing and cleaning can be a common misconception. This is a specialised service, and you should engage a contractor who specialises in this type of work AND is on the WA Department of Health approved list of service providers. Forensic Solutions WA is on that list.

Meth contamination is extremely hard to remove, and you should not attempt to do it yourself. You should contact your insurance company and enquire as to whether they will cover the cost of testing and cleaning the meth contamination from your house. Some insurance companies are better than others so you should check your policy. You should then engage an accredited professional company such as Forensic Solutions WA to carry out the work. Only an accredited and approved testing company like Forensic Solutions WA can provide you with a clearance certificate at the end of the process to state your property is suitable for rehabilitation.

Apart from the obvious effects of odours and chemicals, the meth residue itself can cause short- and long-term health problems for those living in a contaminated house.

Case studies have shown that meth residue can be absorbed into the body from the environment, including contact with contaminated surfaces. Unsuspecting tenants who move into a contaminated house, are susceptible to serious health effects. Living in property contaminated by meth can increases the risk of:

• Breathing issues

• Heart conditions

• Skin rashes and other conditions

• Nervous disorders/tremors

• Damage to kidneys and liver

• Birth defects

• Reproductive problems

Pregnant woman, the elderly and children are considered most at risk of exposure. Children are more susceptible because of a combination of repeated contact with surfaces (such as walls and cabinets) during play activities, as well as less-frequent hand washing. However, anyone living in a meth-contaminated property can be adversely affected. Skin irritations, headaches, breathing, or heart irregularities are all symptoms to look for when assessing whether you are living in a meth contaminated property.

The Government of Western Australia Department of Health explains illicit drug activity may result in contamination, and require property remediation to safe levels through an approved service provider (such as Forensic Solutions WA).

If properties are contaminated with meth, whether it be from smoking meth or manufacturing meth they need to be tested and remediated (cleaned). Both meth testing and meth cleaning are specialized services and should be conducted by approved and qualified service providers. Forensic Solutions WA (formerly Forensic Pathways) is the only company in Western Australia approved by the WA Department of Health for both the meth testing and meth cleaning services.

Removing meth residue or meth contamination is a difficult process. The residue is stable and will not break down over time. The meth residue needs to be broken down by specific chemicals and then physically removed from surfaces.

There are four steps to Forensic Solutions WA’s meth testing and remediation process, so let’s take a look at how you can transform a meth contaminated property in to a habitable dwelling.

1. On-Site Survey and Inspection

   Conducting an initial inspection by qualified and experienced professionals is vital. Sometimes there are no visible signs of contamination. Sometimes, the signs are subtle. It is easy for an inexperienced or unqualified technician to exclude the possibility that a house is contaminated with meth. This could lead to exposing current and future occupants, as well as anyone who enters the property without safety equipment, to serious health risks. Our experts at Forensic Solutions WA have been inspecting meth properties for more than 10 years. They have scientific and legal qualifications and follow strict processes and guidelines to ensure every house is rigorously inspected so that nothing is missed. Speak to one of our experts about getting a thorough inspection to see if your property is contaminated with meth.

2. Forensic Testing and Assessment

   It is necessary to ascertain exactly where the contamination is, and at what levels. Meth is easily spread throughout a property and levels can vary from one area to the next. To save costs, we can provide an initial screening test however if the property shows levels of contamination, comprehensive forensic testing may be required.

   We provide a fully certified testing service in accordance with industry standards and best practices.

   The forensic testing is carried out by our qualified testing technicians in accordance with NIOSH 9111 standards and the samples are processed by accredited laboratories using High Performance Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy techniques.

   The testing of properties contaminated with methamphetamine should only be carried out by accredited, experienced and qualified contractors. Our staff are the most qualified in the industry having both scientific and legal backgrounds. Please contact Forensic Solutions WA if you would like your property tested.

3. Remediation and Decontamination Cleaning
   A high-quality meth lab cleaning service is hard to come by in Australia. In accordance with governmental standards, remediation requires decontamination to near non detectable levels.

   The remediation (cleaning) process needs to be done thoroughly. The exact process will vary depending on factors such the levels and spread of contamination and the type of finishing’s within the house. At Forensic Solutions WA we provide a professional remediation service that includes:

   • Removal and disposal of all loose waste materials

   • Removal of furniture and porous window treatments (if contaminated)

   • Removal of paraphernalia (including syringes and other drug paraphernalia)

   • Decontamination treatment of ALL internal surfaces using specific methamphetamine neutralising chemicals

   • Wash and vacuum extract surfaces with standard commercial cleaning reagents, flush all drains (kitchen, bathroom and outside drains) with chemical neutralisers

   • Steam clean all soft furnishings including blinds

   • High pressure clean all paved areas, and check soils for chemical disposal sites

   We offer this service at a competitive rate. If you want a professional service that guarantees levels of contamination will be reduced to acceptable levels, please contact our staff at Forensic Solutions WA.

4. Forensic Validation Testing

   The last step in Forensic Solutions WA’s meth testing and remediation process is the forensic validation testing. Because meth contamination is often invisible, we need to test the property after the cleaning process to ensure the house is fit for habitation. This testing uses an independent lab with state-of-the-art techniques which are extremely sensitive to minute levels of contaminant. Once we have results confirming contamination levels are less than the acceptable level (Australian standard is 0.5ug/100cm2), we will issue a clearance report indicating the property is now suitable for rehabilitation

   Our forensic experts can ensure your latest property purchase isn’t harbouring harmful chemical residue that will affect your health. If Forensic Solutions WA Perth meth lab testing reveals your home is contaminated, we will initiate professional decontamination measures to remediate the problem.

   Clan labs and smoke houses are an issue for those investing in real estate. According to the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Illicit Drug Data Report, 463 clandestine laboratories were detected in Australia in 2016-17.

   With more than half in residential areas, the home you recently purchased could potentially be contaminated. If not used as a “clan lab”, your new property may have been a “smoke house” for drug users and remain contaminated by meth residue.

   Below are common questions asked of the Forensic Solutions WA team regarding meth contamination. If you have further queries or would like a quote, please contact us.

In Australia, houses generally receive a thorough clean before listing to impress potential buyers during the sales process. But standard cleaning products will not remove chemical residue related to methamphetamine production and use.

If your house has been used as a clan lab, toxins can remain in a wide array of areas, travelling through the ventilation systems to furniture, floors, and even wallpaper. Children playing outside may also be exposed to contaminated soil.

Our forensic experts can ensure your latest property purchase isn’t harbouring harmful chemical residue that will affect your health. If Forensic Solutions WA Perth meth lab testing reveals your home is contaminated, we will initiate professional decontamination measures to remediate the problem.

Clan labs and smoke houses are an issue for those investing in real estate. According to the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Illicit Drug Data Report, 463 clandestine laboratories were detected in Australia in 2016-17.

With more than half in residential areas, the home you recently purchased could potentially be contaminated. If not used as a “clan lab”, your new property may have been a “smoke house” for drug users and remain contaminated by meth residue.

Below are common questions asked of the Forensic Solutions WA team regarding meth contamination. If you have further queries or would like a quote, please contact us.

A clandestine meth lab on your property can cause extensive damage, pose significant health risks, and require professional remediation. Our forensic experts can test for meth contamination and if required, remediate your property to ensure it returns to a habitable status as soon as possible.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australia has the fourth highest average total stimulant consumption, compared with 29 countries across Europe, North America, Oceania, and South Africa

One of the greatest health risks from clan labs is from the toxic residue that remain on surfaces long after meth has been manufactured or smoked. Meth contamination can span from the building’s structure to interior and exterior elements, including the soil. Lab testing for meth residue is necessary if you suspect your house has been used as a clan lab or even where you suspect meth has been smoked inside your property.

The only way to detect meth contamination is to test your property. At Forensic Solutions WA we used lab based technology (gold analytical standard) to determine whether a property is contaminated. If contamination is detected, your property will require specific and expert cleaning before it can be occupied again.

As a leading provider of meth residue testing in Perth and Western Australia, Forensic Solutions WA can assess your Perth property using testing procedures in accordance with Australian and international standards, and provide a professional decontamination solutions to ensure your property is fit for habitation.

The needs of a meth lab will require adjustments to your property. If a property inspection reveals hoses, holes in the building structure, rewiring, or open manholes, chances are changes were made to more easily facilitate meth production.

Take note of sudden spikes in water consumption. Signs of property water damage are also common. Likewise, if electricity bills rapidly rise it may be due to increased use of portable air conditioners and installed lights

Upon entering the property, large amounts of rubbish and heightened security measures are indicators of a potential meth lab. Pungent smells are often reported near clan labs. Damaged and faded exterior (and interior) surfaces are worth noting.

The absence of everyday patterns can be a tell. This includes sealed windows, sometimes covered in aluminium and permanently closed blinds, curtains or screens. A property either unlived in or hosting drop-in visitors around the clock.

Standard renting procedures are in place for a reason. A tenant who offers to pay more than the requested price to avoid providing references, wants to pay cash in advance, and continually declines inspections are red lights.

A meth lab is a makeshift laboratory. This means equipment will be on hand, notably chemicals, tanks, drums, and glass lab equipment. Also look for large amounts of easily accessible ingredients like fertiliser, lithium batteries, and cough medicine.

Certified Meth Lab Clean Up

The Government of Western Australia Department of Health recommends clean up from a clandestine lab be managed by a company listed on the DOH list of qualified drug contamination service providers. This list includes Forensic Solutions WA.

Because contamination travels through the ventilation system, infiltration can be insidious. We utilise leading technologies at every stage of the process, from testing to cleaning, to deliver exemplary science-based service.

Our forensics specialists survey the site, and take samples testing for meth exposure. Owners of contaminated properties then receive a Remediation Action Plan that provides clear details of the decontamination cleaning process.

Once our experienced experts clean the location, Forensic Validation testing takes place. We use independent laboratories to verify the property is below the accepted Australian Standards for methamphetamine contamination.

As trusted providers of meth house testing in Perth, Forensic Solutions WA can help return your property to the renting market, contact us.