Home-based methamphetamine labs are found in rural, suburban, and urban communities throughout North America, and are increasingly present in homes for sale. Site contamination resulting from the presence of a current or former meth lab may pose a threat to the health of people living in and around these properties. Potential health problems include respiratory illness, headaches, dizziness, and skin and eye irritation. Therefore, it is important for a prospective property owner to learn about any possible hazards that may exist due to a former meth lab on the site and to determine next steps if contamination is detected.

How can one determine if a property formerly housed a meth lab?

Many communities do not have systems in place to track properties that were used as meth labs. However, doing a bit of detective work may help to uncover such circumstances. Contact local law enforcement agencies to determine if a seizure of chemicals and lab equipment was made on the premises and if any hazardous materials removal was done. In addition, the local fire department, county health department, or former owners may have information about the property's history.

Where and how would possible contamination be detected in a home?

A professional home inspector can look for evidence of a former meth lab during the course of the inspection, but there is no conclusive method of determination from a visual inspection other than the telltale "cat urine smell", and in occupied homes, evidence of discarded packaging, materials, and equipment, or signs of stains from spillage on counter tops, floors, etc. Contaminants may be found in carpeting, on surfaces such as walls, sinks, and counters, and even in drains and ventilation systems, but these can only be determined by sample collection and laboratory analysis. Where visual clues indicate the possibility of previous lab use, the home inspector will include this information in the Post inspection report so that the prospective owner can decide on next steps, which may include scientific testing and professional remediation.

For more information about home inspection and meth lab contamination, please contact me for a professional Home Inspector Referral !