Meth Testing
In recent years, the issue of methamphetamine manufacture and use in houses has increased, and the effects of an infected property are becoming widely known.
What is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine is a highly-addictive, illegal, class-A drug, and it’s a huge issue in New Zealand communities. Methamphetamine is usually manufactured in makeshift labs – which are usually set up in the manufacturer’s home. These makeshift labs emit a residue that stays with a property for a long time, which is why it’s so important to test a property before purchasing it.
This residue lingers in a property for a long time. Unlike many other property-related issues, you can’t simply look at a house and tell if it has been used as a makeshift methamphetamine lab, or if it’s previous occupants used methamphetamine in the house.
Methamphetamine doesn’t discriminate. Just because a house looks “posh” or is in a “good area”, doesn’t mean it is free of this nasty drug.
Testing your property for methamphetamine
As the manufacture and use of methamphetamine is continuously increasing, it’s really important for your to get your home tested before you purchase it. The cost of decontaminating a property is significantly higher than the cost of a test, so it’s always worth testing a property before your purchase it.
If you’re unsure or think your property might have traces of methamphetamine, it’s important that you get it tested before you or your family become affected by the left-over residue.
Meth Testing in rental properties (property managers and landlords)
Makeshift methamphetamine labs are often set up in rental properties for a number of reasons. As a result, it’s important that you test your rental properties before your tenants move in, and after they move out. This way you can tell if your property is safe for a family to live in, and also if your previous tenants have been smoking or manufacturing methamphetamine in your rental property.
Knowing whether your property is infected with methamphetamine residue isn’t as simple as inspecting the walls or ceilings for discolouration.
Methamphetamine leaves an awful residue when someone has either manufactured or used it indoors, however this residue cannot be detected by the naked eye. Despite this, the health effects can be detrimental. This is why it’s so important to test your property – or the property you’re about to purchase – for methamphetamine, before you, your family, or your tenants become affected by it.
What is a Detailed Methamphetamine Assessment?
If methamphetamine contamination is detected from the Screening Assessment in one or more areas, a Detailed Methamphetamine Assessment is required in accordance with NZS8510:2017. A site assessment and testing of the property is carried out through-out the property to determine the extent and magnitude of meth contamination. A report is completed by a forensic scientist and sent to the client. The report details the level of contamination throughout the property to determine the most suitable clean-up plan and health and safety risks.
What is a Post-Decontamination Methamphetamine Assessment?
It is important for owners who are required to decontaminate / clean their property to know the cleaning process has been effective in reducing methamphetamine levels to below Ministry of Health Guidelines (2016), 1.5ug/100cm2. This can only be done by taking a final set of individual or composite samples for testing.
A comprehensive report is provided the to client detailing the level of contamination remaining in the property.
What information can a “Methamphetamine Screening Assessment” give me?
A “Methamphetamine Screening Survey” is ideal for anyone purchasing a home, inter-tenancy checks and where meth contamination is suspected. It provides clients with an understanding of the overall level of contamination at the property.
Multiple individual samples and on-site investigation is carried out to determine if meth is present or absent. Samples are collected and sent to “IANZ Accredited Laboratory” for testing.
The laboratory takes an extraction from each individual sample tube and combines them into one sample (lab composite) for analysis to provide an accurate, cost-effective screening method. A detailed survey report is then provided to the client. Screening Surveys provide clients with a YES/NO as to if meth is present allowing them to make informed decisions without paying unnecessary cost.
The individual samples can be analysed within 24 hours of samples being taken.
For anyone wanting to look at room by room testing to get a profile of the spread of meth contamination then a “Detailed Methamphetamine Assessment” is ideal.
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