Contamination of Homes with Methamphetamine: Is Wipe Sampling Adequate to Determine Risk?

Abstract

Contamination of domestic dwellings from methamphetamine cooking or smoking is an increasing public health problem in many countries. To evaluate the extent of contamination, sampling generally focusses on the collection of surface wipe samples from walls and other surfaces of a potentially contaminated home. Here, we report the contamination levels of many household materials and items sampled from a home that was suspected to be the premises used to cook methamphetamine, it was then sold, lived in for several years by the new owners and then left unattended for several more years. Although the time since the cooking had taken place was significant (over five years), the levels of contamination were extremely high in both household items that were part of the house when cooking was taking place (blinds, carpets, walls, etc.) and also in articles brought to the house post-cooking (rugs, toys, beds, etc.). Both wipe sampling and analysis of bulk samples indicate that the methamphetamine is not breaking down or being removed and is transferred from contaminated to non-contaminated objects. These results raise questions about the adequacy of characterising contamination and of making decisions about the extent of remediation required based solely on surface wipe samples. Without fully understanding the extent of contamination that is present, not only on surfaces but within the building materials, it is difficult to ensure that the correct and most effective remedial approaches are taken to appropriately determine and address the risks to inhabitants.

Current practices underestimate environmental exposures to methamphetamine: inhalation exposures are important

“…It is noted that these conditions (high temperature and high humidity) not only cause increased concentration of methamphetamine into the air phase but will also result in the increased skin exposure as people (especially children) will wear less clothes under these climatic conditions. The absorption of methamphetamine into wall materials, and other materials in a property, and the potential further desorption and transfer or movement of methamphetamine throughout a property has also been reported for H2 [28]. The sampling of air using commercially available sorbent tubes and analytical methods, as detailed in this paper, provides reliable results with acceptable levels of recovery.…”

“…The samples collected show that methamphetamine moves into the air phase from property and possessions removed from the contaminated home. The property including possessions have been sampled and previously reported [28]. Methamphetamine was reported on personal possessions taken into the contaminated home at least a year after the end of methamphetamine synthesis, indicating that there was the transfer of methamphetamine throughout the home.…”

Environmental Methamphetamine Exposures and Health Effects in 25 Case Studies

“…The family lived in the contaminated property for approximately 18 months. In relation to this case study, additional testing of the property has been undertaken by the researcher over a number of years, in addition to the data provided by the local council [ 6 ].…”

“…Further, the smoking of methamphetamine results in the deposition of residues onto the surfaces of properties where the activity is undertaken [ 2 , 3 ]. These residues have been found at varying levels on a wide range of household surfaces and materials, and have been shown to persist for months or even years [ 1 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. People working or living in these contaminated properties are exposed to these methamphetamine residues.…”

“…However, once manufacture and use has ceased and the acute hazards associated with manufacture are no longer present, methamphetamine contamination remains at the property. If this contamination is not remediated it can remain for a long period of time [ 6 ], resulting in long-term or chronic environmental (also known as third-hand) exposure to people living or working in these properties. The evidence suggests that the level of methamphetamine manufacture and use in Australia is increasing.…”