Meth Lab Cleanup Process

After the authorities have finished with their investigation of a meth lab property, the clean-up can begin. Health experts know very little about the long-term effects of exposure to contaminants left at a former meth lab. The chemicals used can leave a residue in the wall boards, floors, draperies and furniture. The actual drug itself may remain on the surfaces and may be absorbed through the skin.

There are currently no national regulations on exactly how to cleanup former meth labs and the situations vary in each meth lab. Sometimes scrubbing and painting is all that is necessary to restore a former meth lab to a safe living environment. Sometimes, contamination is so broad and extensive that the inside of the building needs complete renovation. Across the U.S., the response to cleaning up former meth lab properties ranges from minor cleaning to complete demolition of buildings. Some meth labs require soil and/or groundwater cleanup as well, depending on the extent of how and where chemical wastes were managed.

The general steps involved in the self cleaning process are briefly jotted down below:

• Contact your local law enforcement agency to determine what chemicals were present at the time of seizure.

• Have local law enforcement personnel accompany you when visiting the site.

• Thoroughly ventilate the building before and during cleanup.

• Until a former meth lab is cleaned, do not enter the area without foot and hand protection (shoes and gloves) at a minimum.

• Remove visibly contaminated items or items that have a chemical odor or red, yellow, or brown stains.

• Clean all surfaces using household cleaning methods and proper personal protection. Leave plumbing cleaning to the experts.

• Air out the building for 3 to 5 days.

• If odors or staining remain, have the building evaluated by a professional.

Property owners are responsible for proper cleanup and costs. Owners who decide to clean buildings on their own should be aware that household building materials and furniture may absorb contaminants and, in some cases, give off fumes. Thus the safest way to clean up a former meth lab is to hire environmental clean-up companies trained in hazardous substance removal and clean-up.