Meth Residue Cleanup?

Does anyone have any factual info on meth smoke residue & the need for cleanup?

I have read many stats and watched tv shows on it in the past, but never really thought I needed to take any actions but now I'm thinking I might. I have heard that the residue can be detected with the new gadgets and yes, it can contain chemicals that may be harmful or toxic to sensitive individuals and even not normally sensitive individuals.

I have heard that it can reside on everything in the vicinity where it was smoked not just made. Obviously it stays in fabrics and furniture but what about things like tools, appliances etc?

I don't have any facts, but I do have some questions and opinions?

1. Why do you think it is a problem ? Can you cite your sources ?

2. Most meth users are not going to let the dope go flying out into the atmosphere. They want every molecule to get into their system.

3. Meth itself is quite inert unless it is ingested deliberately. Why do you think otherwise?

4. There's a huge difference between the process and residue from cooking and from using - even smoking. And BTW, smoking isn't really smoking in a strict sense. There's no meth smoke. It is fumes. Fumes are not the same as smoke.

5. Have you ever heard of or seen any evidence of a problem from second hand meth fumes residue in a residence from a reputable source ?

6. FWIW, I'm not an expert by any means on this subject, but I'm not prone to get too hysterical over something that isn't high on the list of priorities.

7. And again, why do you think this is worthy of attention?
Maybe you know something that we don't

Well, I'm not hysterical. King County Meth Task Force, Pierce County Health Department are the only sources I actually know the names of offhand from the need for cleanup information I've gathered.

No, I don't want to give you more details.
But thanks for your opinion anyway.

From what I have witnessed, they only wear suits when there is a meth lab.

In my life, I worry alot about clorox with bleach and cleaners.. Not that I like to clean.. That crap kills my lungs.

I am not aware of any significant toxic elements or residue from smoking.
I am not sure if crystal meth is harmful to the touch.

I think the most important meth residue cleanup is the one that occurs in a recovering tweakers brain.

Now THAT one I can feel the difference!

I have a question that I hope is not stupid, but has anyone ever heard of like second hand meth? If someone is high, can they possibly pass it on to someone else through bodily fluids?

The only reason that I ask is, I went through a period of time where I was experiencing weird things. This was during a time where my husband and I were together quite a bit. I later came to find out that was a time when he was using quite a bit. Could he have passed that on to me?? Seems silly.
Thanks!

from what ive seen hasmat does cleanups around labs dumps and such left by sloppy cooks.

if your worried take every thing to a carwash and steam it off,wipe everything else down a few times.

never heard of this though,are you think like cig smoke or pot smoke which does stick to everthing in the house.

lookin4maricle to answer your question:

No, the effects of meth cannot be passed through bodily fluids.

It's actually a pretty common question, so I wonder what kind of things are going on that makes people wonder that.

What kinds of weird things did you experience?

I have posted before on all the things I've seen on "TV" on the public tele documentary that they had and a few discovery channel things about meth cleanup.

They do go into trailers, homes, vehicles and find residue from meth smoke and they do have gadgets that detect it. They have found that there are toxic chemical residues from meth smoke(ok, fumes) and that many people, especially children seem to have mysterious side effects and skin sensitivities.

I experienced dramatic weightloss, racing heart, did not require much sleep. One time, I was awake for longer than 48 hours, which I have never ever done before!! They were just odd things. I was also vomiting everymorning, before I would eat or do anything, I am not sure what all of that was about. He did joke with me though that I was benefiting (weight loss) and did not even know.

lookin, I have learned to "go with my gut" and that's that.

If something seems wrong, then it probably is.

I have never done meth that I know of and yes, when co-residing with a meth addict, I also experienced many of those things you mentioned and more.

Obviously, none of us want to think we may have inadvertantly hurt ourselves or others just because we were not aware of dangers. It's quite easy to say, "Oh, that's crazy thinking" but rather reckless, from what I know now.

lookin4miracle,

What you describe is similar to some of the things I was experiencing living with the addict as well, except for the weight loss , (he was the only one losing weight.)

But I saw some pretty other-worldly stuff I haven't seen since. No one will ever convince me Meth is not 's #1 drug, (at least at this point in time.)

I don't think any questions are stupid - I would also be concerned, Luv, especially selling things on e-bay like you do.

But I do know that just smoking it doesn't produce "smoke" like pot or cigs.

However, if your addict was cooking it - he might well have brought toxins home on his clothing and any materials he may have used in the process.

One day hubby, (a painter by trade,) came home from his "friend's" house (who was his dealer and had spent 5 years in the pen for slinging,) that they were "remodeling."

I distinctly remember that he took his clothes off in the garage and put them in a separate basket than all the rest of the clothes and told me not to wash them with anything else, because they were using a new chemical to "lay a floor." It struck me very strange, and the odor was something like real chemically enhanced cat pizz. Having handled those clothes, I wondered. . . Guess I'll never know for sure.

You may not know for another 20-30 years if those chemically enhanced clothes will affect you. Asbestos laden clothin has affected people in about that time frame with asbestosis and mesothelioma.

Thank you Mary, that's comforting.
I also lived with a boyfriend who removed asbestos for about a year.

Whatever - when it's my time, I'll be ready. Even if it is today, that's just fine with me! Don't get me wrong, I don't WANT to die, just not afraid, (and really don't want to suffer, but I guess it's not up to me, huh?)

i work around all kinds of things that i do not want to expose my family to,work close are never put with anything else and the machine is cleaned before anything else is put into it.

Back to the original post on this thread.

Quote:

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I have heard that the residue can be detected with the new gadgets and yes, it can contain chemicals that may be harmful or toxic to sensitive individuals and even not normally sensitive individuals.

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I find that rather hard to believe. If it is true, it may take a million or a billion times the amount found in a meth users home or previous home before there is any substantial danger.

Quote:

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I have heard that it can reside on everything in the vicinity where it was smoked not just made. Obviously it stays in fabrics and furniture but what about things like tools, appliances etc?

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Again, I dont see how that is possible. If it was made, yes, but if a person is just smoking it, how can anything be left that would be dangerous. If a person doesnt get the drug inside ones system, it isnt dangerous.

By Golly, Who has a meth tester and some meth? I want to figure this one out...

I think it should be tested, I would like to know.

No one has ever tested things after meth from smoking was in the room? (not making)

I do tend to think that after a certain amount of time the test would be negative..

whenever I would run out of stash, the first thing I would do is clean/scrape the residue that was left inside the stem of the pipe I was using. I presume that is the same stuff I was exhaling, which would mean that where I was smoking there would have been a thin film of meth coating things around me (walls, monitor, table, etc).

Most normal people would call that toxic and dangerous, right?

I could see how it would be possible, but highly improbable. If someone always exhaled the vapors in a certain spot on the wall for years & years I would tend to think there would be some buildup of meth residue, but again, that is a fairly unlikely scenario. Sounds more like a company trying to cash in on the meth scare trying to sell their "test kits" to a paranoid target base.

well then I guess I'm the improbable...I did sit in the same spot smoking for years...and when the guys wearing space suits came in to clean up after me they threw all my stuff away.

If smoking leaves a residue, then it's all just a matter of degree. You can say that the meth that coats something is so thin that it is of no consequece, or you can say that any surface that tests positive for meth is toxic. And that is how the Gov see's it.

hey Phoenix,
Im sorry, I didnt see your post before I replied, I agree completely about the pipe residue thing, & thought afterwards, if I'd have always exhaled onto a piece of glass I could have scraped that as well...& you are right as well in the respect of degrees of contamination... I am fairly sure the surfaces in my office could test positive, but I dont think if I licked them all that I could get high...

test kit already for sale for residue

and that's even to the general Jenny Q Public.
Yes, there are gadgets, I've seen em on TV
No, they really did include the health issues with cleanup of meth USE residue in living areas. The cops use a scanner thinkie and can detect it.

Call the DEA and ask-it's real.
The HazMat people don't exactly KNOW how every single person is going to react.

By the way, some nice kci member sent me the link to where I can buy a meth residue detector.

I imagine that many professionals in the US are urged to downplay this whole idea of negative effects of meth use.

My Three Cents Again,

My daughter told me that, at 15 yrs old, she used to smoke meth in her room. Her room was pretty much right next to our room, so I asked, how could that be???, (since I am just a "meth idiot" loved one who thought meth was like weed or cigs leaving actual "smoke.")

She told me, "Mom, it doesn't have an odor." But I figured, if one EXHALES it, it must leave a residue.

My understanding from what I have heard and seen on snipits on TV shows like 60 minutes, is that in Missouri, in some areas, (and I haven't checked this out, so one could absolutely call it RUMOR or even ridiculous,) that some realtors are being required to have homes tested for chemicals left behind from meth before even showing a home.

I do have a brother-in-law who sells property in MO, and I think I will e-mail him and ask.

Since I haven't purchased a home there, I am not sure, but I will have my people get with your people, and we can do lunch over it sometime.
If I were you, Luv, I would be concerned enough to go ahead and purchase the test kit, since you have AMPLE reason to be concerned, being that your house was watched and you had po-po issues. If the feds wanted to take your home, or any such thing, it would probably be worth the investment. JMHO.

Ya know, we had a guy in the store. He was fixin' up a house that he bought on the courthouse steps.

He told us they made that drug called meth in this house.

I was like........WOOOOOOOOOOA! What you talkin' 'bout?

He said they told him that. I ask him, you mean they sold that house to you anyways? He said they did and told him it weren't no big deal.

I thought these places had to be condemmned. I ask him about that and he said he sure hoped not cause he paid good money for it.

Do you know? Aren't they supposed to be condemmed?

The following is a repost:
Subject: Cleaning meth lab homes

Author: Former Lab Assessor

Date Posted: 23:42:00 09/10/02 Tue

I hope this may help those forced to clean up after a lab. KCI has a great guide to cleaning them up. And based on my experience, it will work for "mom and pop" labs. For those interested in the science behind the cleaning, I offer the following:

Once a risk assessor studying meth lab exposure in homes, I was tasked with determining "cleanup" concentrations for the chemicals involved. These are the levels of contaminants that are considered "safe" for residential exposure.
Working with the EPA, I did determine the levels that are considered "safe" but these were not released to the public because the levels determined were below "background" residential levels. Another words, in trying to protect from meth lab exposure, we found that regular chemical concentrations in homes are also above safe levels.
If we were to test a home that was suspected of meth lab operations, it would appear to be "guilty" because it had chemicals above safe levels, since the chemicals used in the labs are household items (cleaning supplies, emissions from carpets, etc.). Every house tested would have detected levels of meth-lab related chemicals. This presented a very serious problem for innocent homeowners/landlords.
In addition, the data seemed to show that some actual meth lab homes were slightly "cleaner" than non-meth lab homes. That is not to say they are not unsafe, especially at the time of "cooking", but usually by the time a crew can get in to test, the windows have been opened and many of the chemical levels have dropped. Also, meth lab operators are not known for their cleanliness and tend to be in older homes, therefore, they use little cleaning supplies and the carpet, if present, is older and its chemicals have volatized off. We found that simply opening the windows helped the most.

It is hard to know what the actual concentrations are at the time of cooking. Work is under way to set up labs to test and the issue of children's exposure is being looked at. The exposure to residents and law enforcement at the time of cooking is the problem. Once the home has been aired out, the risks drop substantially. Surprisingly, this was not welcome news to many of the people fighting meth lab contamination and little attention was paid. Meth use is a huge problem, but the residual effects of living in a cleaned home with a former meth lab may not be greater than those found in ordinary homes. Therefore, people should know this so resources are not wasted on this one aspect of meth labs, and can be put towards prevention, treatment, and the protection of law enforcement officers and other responders.
If you are going to clean a property yourself, follow the Koch Crime Institute guidelines. If you find bulk chemicals, do not attempt to move them - consult an environmental firm or your state or local authorities, and do not be afraid to ask questions!!

Yes, exactly. That is why this testing business is not about getting hysterical or giving out details online or bashing meth users(although I do), it's about personal health safety for me and my kids-PERIOD.

By the time the "government" comes out with national safety standards, usually it's because a zillion and one people have been hurt.

luv,
The DEA,FBI,SWAT,CIA(?),& LOL ,the MIB
Made a HUGE deal of fuss about the meth residue
Back yonder at our Farm...
They had little litmus type strips that turned PURPLE
which meant that meth had been present
And not only did they consider it to be dangerous to breathe
But the exsistence of it would also
Stand up in a court of law
(Our local court of law....)

but we and they are all still learning how to manoeuver(SP?) through these dark and scary places which keep presenting *Theyselves...*

...one time , for us....*Clean~up* meant the firing of 3 shots into 3 propane tanks, thus *dis~abling* them....

....and , The Last time ...the time when I was already in jail...

They said that non~porus items could be removed and safely washed up..

HOWEVER, the windows were all left open and months later ,
When I was released,
I was able to salvage whatever I could , just before they burned the place to the ground...
....sigh....

And I was asked to contact the local law enforcement when I was out there salvaging...
Nobody bothered me ...and I did not have to break through any yellow tape...

We ARE the *guinea pigs*.....
If there was a study of long term exposure or the likes of that ,
I might just participate..
The Damage for me is done.
I can not change it.
I can only hope that others can learn from my folly.

....btw, I pulled out much of my fabric and such, have washed everything in hot water...
And continue to hope for the best.

I am sorry that you folks, had to be exposed..I have no sense of smell..
But I was always aware of the Chemical Change when that shyt was all about.
I could feel it in my throat and lungs.
Even when I was not using ...if it was around..
Like in my man's pocket ,when I would climb onto his lap,
In the chair,
For a rest.

Sensationalism, hysteria, hyperbole, and public fear are much easier to promote than common sense, reason and fact. This was true for the Y2K scare, the anthrax scare, the crack baby myths and so many others.

If second-hand meth fume residue was a problem in reality, how many cheap hotels and motels would be out of business? How many used cars would be contaminated? How many trailer parks would be bulldozed out of existence? How many public bathrooms would be red-lined? How many shyster Lawyers would be filing lawsuits?
How many . . . ?

I happen to be very sensitive to chemicals in my environment perhaps it is because growing up I was around all sorts of workshops, marine paints, fiberglass and then alas, I have been in shipyards and auto paintshops and detailing shops and I know the difference between how I have felt around all those chemicals and meth.

Whether it be mental, physical or spiritual, I get side-effects and sensitivities to meth. Kind of like how a drug dog is trained or something...
I know what I know and I know what I feel and there are many others who feel many of the same things.

I have bought totaled cars and fixed them up and resold them in the past-with a license. There are now regulations in place regarding re-sale of vehicles that might have had contaminants. There are people who are sensitive to cigarette smoke residue in things for many years no matter how well cleaned they were. It's just difficult to steralize porous things that can't be thrown in the wash.

Anyway, I knew someone who had a suicide car once. I know-GROSS!!!!! The hose was still in the car. It stunk to High H3ll! He hired a former Army Ranger (he was a tweaker now that I think of it) to clean it out. He was the only person in the world who would do it. He also Ozoned it heavily and used boiling hot pressure washer on the whole interior. It came out sweet as pie. This is not uncommon.

Cleaning is important to me for various reasons, meth residue is only one of them. MRSA in the addict x taught me a lot about cleaning.

My dad had asbestos damage in his lungs...he never wore any protection when working in the shipyards, Navy or at home in our antique house. He was on the list for health compensation from the gov when he died from other causes. He had COPD and it wasn't only from cigarette smokin.