Meth, short for Methamphetamine, is one of the most dangerous synthetic drugs out there. It has several street names such as crystal, ice, glass, stovetop, tweak, and many more. Its made out of dangerous chemicals and various toxic substances that, when consumed or inhaled, can cause irreversible damage. However, just being in the proximity of a meth producing laboratory can be just as dangerous.
Today were going to talk about how to inspect your property using a meth test kit, and what should you do if you have to deal with cleaning up and decontaminating a meth lab. Follow these instructions and save your health.
How to Detect and Cleanup a Methamphetamine Laboratory
Youve probably heard about the hit TV series, Breaking Bad,. The plot of this series revolves around cooking meth, and if you had a chance to watch one of the episodes, you could have noticed that meth can be made just about anywhere. Improvised kitchens, hidden basements, even RVs can be modified to serve as a meth lab on wheels.
Why is this important?
Well, since meth labs can be found just about anywhere yet are proficient in remaining unnoticed, you might be living next to one without even realizing it. Inhaling toxic residue can be very detrimental for your health, but its hard to detect meth labs unless you suspect someone in your building is dabbling into shady activities. It doesnt even have to be your neighbor. Maybe youre a landlord who recently had a suspicious tenant move out.
If he was conducting suspicious activities at your property, youll need more than just a professional carpet cleaning service to restore it to its previous state. Maybe youre looking for a new place to move in. If youre not previously familiar with the location, its good practice to use a home meth testing kit just to be sure there were no illegal activities conducted on the premises.
Before we get to the gist of this article, lets look at some of the facts about meth labs and meth in general.
Why Are Meth Labs So Dangerous?
Meth is easy to make and even easier to sell because of its highly addictive properties. The production of meth is a dangerous process that can have a serious impact on both human lives and the surrounding environment. In fact, Methamphetamine labs can literally explode when the cooking process goes wrong. So not only do they spread toxic fumes and substances, but they can also jeopardize your safety by bursting into flames.
Law enforcements try to stay on top of the matter, but according to statistics, only a fraction of meth labs are discovered. In fact, according to the DEA, there are about 13,000+ incidents every year, with Missouri leading the way with around 1,800 police interventions. So if the police manage to bust around 13,000, imagine how many more meth labs are actually out there.
How to Spot a Meth Lab
There are a couple of clues to look out for when trying to figure out if illegal activities are being conducted in your neighborhood. Before picking up a meth residue test kit, look for clues such as shady looking properties that emit pungent odors. Empty chemical containers in the backyard and boarded windows. A lot of different people entering and leaving the property in a short period of time. A lot of police activity nearby.
If youre looking to rent a place, but you suspect it has previously been used as a meth lab, look for these signs to confirm your suspicions. Yellow discoloration on the walls and ceiling, lack of fire detectors, and a distinctive odor spreading through the entire property. If you can smell sulfurous and ammonia, chances are youre dealing with an ex meth lab.
If theres a reason to suspect there is a meth lab in your vicinity, proceed to use a meth drug test kit and acquire further evidence. Bear in mind that there are several risks involved when entering a potential meth lab ranging from coughing and nausea to chemical burns, and in some cases, even death.
We advise contacting a professional meth remediation service to test the property for you and assure its safe for re-occupancy. If a professional test is not what youd like to pay for, you can opt for the home meth test. The home meth test kit is available to the general public and is a good option for testing for the presence of meth.
Here at Spaulding Decon, we take meth lab cleanups seriously and fully understand the dangers associated with them. Our highly experienced remediation experts are equipped with all the safety equipment they require to efficiently restore your property to its previous state. Lets go through what a standard testing and cleanup procedure looks like.
How Does a Meth Lab Testing Procedure Look Like When Done by Professionals?
1. A Team of Highly Trained Technicians Arrives at the Scene
Experienced and highly trained technicians will arrive at the scene as soon as possible and conduct the testing procedure. As these are delicate situations, our employees use unmarked vehicles and uniforms in order to protect your privacy.
2. Your Property is Thoroughly Tested
When it comes to inspecting a property for evidence pointing towards an ex meth lab, its all about having the necessary knowledge and experience. Knowing how and where to look makes all the difference. As our experts have a ton of meth lab cleaning cases behind them, theyll know exactly what needs to be done in order to deem your property habitable or not.
Our experts use composite testing to evaluate the interior of your home, as well as various other methods used for exterior fixtures such as sheds and garages. We pay special attention to the walls of your property, as well as the insulation, HVAC system, and carpets.
3. Third-Party Testing Is Mandatory
As an ethically conscious company, Spaulding Decon will hire a third-party service to provide clearance testing. If our goal were to falsify clearance testing just to take your money, we wouldnt have the reputation we have today. Thats why third-party testing is guaranteed on every job we do, ensuring we maintain our stellar reputation.
4. You Get the Results in Just a Few Days
One of our primary goals is to deliver the results to you in the shortest period of time. We fully understand the urgency of the situation, so we make an extra effort to inform you as soon as possible whether or not there were traces of meth found on your property.
5. Discussing the Results and Forming a Plan
Well go over the results with you, explaining in detail what every point means. If the preliminary test shows signs of meth in your home, well proceed to propose a comprehensive decontamination plan. If you opt for our services, we make sure your property is fully restored and safe for you to live in it.
The testing process is crucial not only to determine whether there is meth present but also to come up with the best course of action. Dangerous amounts of meth require different methods and a variety of approaches in order to cleanse the affected area completely.
If hiring professional technicians is not in your budget or you are certain you want to test the area by yourself, we can provide you with an at-home meth lab test kit. The test is available via our website, so make sure to check it out.
One more thing to note, in some cases, the contamination is so severe there is no time to waste. For instance, if youre experiencing an itching and burning sensation, evacuate the premises immediately and give us a call. We specialize in examining and cleaning hotel rooms, single or multi-family homes, commercial properties, and any other residential properties.
Do not leave your wellbeing to chance, contact Spaulding Decon today.