Illicit Substances

Illicit Substances 

Illegal drug activity is cause for concern for tenants, property owners/ managers and real estate agents, due to the potential health and safety risk to the occupants. The primary cause of concern is the manufacturer, growth and use of illicit substances. < Drug houses > are categorized into three types; Clandestine Laboratories, Cannabis Growth Houses and Smoke Houses.

Clandestine laboratories (clan labs) are places where illegal drugs (methamphetamine) are  manufactured. Criminal procedures often use rental properties to manufacture these drugs, other properties such as commercial, remote rural and hotel and motel accommodation are commonly utilised as well. Drug residues and waste chemicals can be absorbed into the building structure and furnishings. 

Cannabis grow houses are properties extensively modified to grow large crops of cannabis hydroponically. Structural damage and mould infestation can be the consequences. 

Smoke houses are residences in which illegal drugs such as meth, heroin and cannabis are smoked regularly but not manufactured. The high volume of smoke will be absorbed into the walls of the property by any furniture present. 

Health Risks 

Clan labs can pose the highest risk to human health, exposing the < residents > to high quantities of meth and other toxic chemicals used in its manufacturing process. While police may remove  all substances from the property, the contaminant residue absorbed into the buildings structure and furnishings can not be removed as easily. Health effects most often associated with exposure to illicit drug contamination are not specific to drug contamination and may be due to nutritional or medical conditions of other environmental exposures. Contamination induced risks to occupants vary depending on the illicit drug activity. Symptoms to exposure include,

• Behavioural changes, 
• Sleep disturbance, 
• Respiratory problems. 

Smoke houses generally have much lower amounts of residues in comparison with the clan labs. Children, pregnant women and the elderly are at most risk from this type of exposure. 

Risks in cannabis grow houses are generally low. There is a very low rate of chemical residue accumulation, the higher risk is associated with excess mould growth due to the high levels of moisture which could occur from high quantities of indoor plants. Mould exposure can cause respiratory issues, especially in people of higher risk (children, asmatics, and elderly).

Testing for Contamination 

Testing normally consists of swab sampling of at least five suitable suspect surfaces within the premises followed by quantified laboratory analysis for meth and associated chemicals. 

A result above the Health Investigation Level (HIL) of 0.5 ug/100cm2 for meth triggers further investigation, cleaning and or re-testing. 

How do you remove contamination ? 

A contaminated property should be cleaned by an industrial/ commercial cleaning contractor. 

In most instances illicit drug residue remediation will require as a minimum several washes with an alkaline detergent. The cleaning process should follow the DOH recommended procedure.