How Meth Contamination Affects Trades

Tradies before you enter the premises read this

There are increasing numbers of properties coming onto the market after having undergone extensive renovations due to Meth contamination.

Many of these properties are not being tested properly nor remediated properly and often no-one except the owner knows as they try to rid themselves of a problem.

Buyers are being caught out by this but what is alarming is that tradespeople employed during the renovation or by simply carrying out maintenance and repairs are often totally unaware that the property is contaminated.

What can happen?

Scenario:

You have been asked to paint the interior of a house. You are asked to use enamel based paint in the bathroom and kitchen and three coats of plastic paint in the other rooms. The owner says they want a pristine look because they wish to sell the property. You think this is a bit of overkill for the job but comply. On the way home you are pulled over for a random drug test. You test positive for Meth, yet you have never used this drug. You lose your licence on the spot. Now your livelihood is at stake. Without your licence you can't work.

What went wrong?

What you may not realise is that paint and especially enamel paint is used to try to encapsulate Meth contamination rather than undertake a full remediation of the property. Each day you are there you are exposed to a contaminated environment. On this particular day you may have touched a contaminated surface such as a ceiling fan, transmitted the residue to your mouth and as a result in a random drug test, that tests your saliva, you would test positive and may lose your licence on the spot and spend weeks trying to prove your innocence.

Trades affected

The following is a list of trades affected:

Electricians - If Meth was 'cooked' on the premises then toxic chemicals may be in the roof cavity. Even Meth that is smoked can, in extreme cases, contaminate the roof cavity. Meth whether cooked or smoked likes electrical devices and fans and can be found in higher concentrations in the ceiling fans, air conditioners, fridges, kitchen equipment, extractor fans etc.
Plumbers - Be aware that in Meth production (large or small scale) the excess chemicals are often poured down the drains. Bathroom drains, kitchen sinks can all be contaminated. In addition, the shower base may be used to contain the chemicals used for production and then flushed away after use. The bathroom itself can be heavily contaminated because when smoking Meth, the user may smoke whilst sitting on the toilet and this can contaminate the area around the toilet.
Kitchen installers - Kitchen and bathrooms, because they have extraction units, are often used to 'cook' Meth. This can lead to benchtops and extractor fans being heavily contaminated. When removing a kitchen from a contaminated property you will be exposed to Meth residue and if you recycle the kitchen units you will be passing on that contamination to an innocent person. In addition, if you take the kitchen to a recycle centre or waste disposal site you can be in breach of regulations as contaminated goods from a property must be disposed of safely in a similar fashion to asbestos.
Carpet Cleaners - Meth is concentrated in carpet and becomes crushed as people walk on it creating finer and finer particles, these finer particles are sucked into the cleaning unit and may in some cases contaminate the unit. Steam cleaning does not remove the contamination but merely drives it further into the carpet.
Carpet removers/installers - Whilst the carpet itself will be toxic to handle, Meth can also seep through into the underlay. Handling the carpet when removing it without protective equipment (masks, gloves, clothes etc) can lead to transfer of Meth from hand to mouth. Also, disposal of the carpet and underlay needs to be undertaken properly and cannot be disposed of in carpet recycle centres or council waste disposal centres.
Dry cleaners - Clothing is a material that will absorb meth residue very easily when exposed to it. Handling contaminated clothing can lead to transfer to other materials in the area. As the only way to clean Meth from clothing is to wash them three to four times, dry cleaning does not remove the Meth. In addition depending on the chemicals in the clothing there can be an adverse reaction.
Painters - As in the scenario above
Plasterers - Meth residue has been found to have penetrated the plaster and even in some cases reaching the framework of the building. Again Plaster must be removed safely and correctly and disposed of in a safe manner. Re plastering walls where the framework has not been decontaminated merely masks the problem creating harm for the next occupants.
Furniture removers - Handling contaminated furniture without protective equipment can lead to the scenario above where you may test positive to a random drug test. It also contaminates your van. Dust with contamination present may then be transferred to other furniture belonging to innocent people.

Its not just home renovators

How can you protect yourself?

As a tradesperson you would understand the necessity to consult a professional expert to ensure you get the best result. That's why teaching yourself how to test for Meth is not the greatest idea. Self taught testing can give incorrect readings because the user may not fully understand the dynamics of how Meth contaminates an area.

In our resources area you will find videos that give instructions on how to test accurately and also access to professionals that can navigate with you via remote video access to ensure you obtain accurate results.