DRUG LAB WARNING Meth contamination a big danger: expert
A TOWNSVILLE decontamination expert is calling on the State Government to establish policy to ensure all homes exposed as drug labs are free of toxic chemicals.
The owner of Townsville- based ASB Environmental, Bill Hodder, said methamphetamine contamination of properties was a major hidden health issue, just like asbestos was decades ago.
Studies by Flinders University public health researcher Jackie Wright show houses used as makeshift drug labs have methamphetamine levels up to 40 times what is deemed acceptable. And it is not simply pop- up meth labs where cooking has occurred that is a concern. Studies show regular meth smoking will coat any room with toxic residue.
A Queensland Health spokesman said during the methamphetamine manufacturing process, toxic gases and aerosols were produced which could be absorbed by flooring, walls, furnishings and fittings.
Mr Hodder, whose asbestos removal business also specialises in clandestine drug lab remediation, said the Government needed to ensure all properties used as drug labs were free of toxic chemicals before more people moved in.
“At the moment, people are unaware if the property they have bought or rented was once used to make meth or if people who lived there smoked meth in it,” he said. “A simple test would let people know the background of the place they call home. There’s no legislation in place to ensure properties are free from meth residue and that needs to change.”
Townsville police uncovered 16 meth labs in Townsville last year, and 19 during the previous year.
Drug Squad detective Senior Sergeant Mick Walker said there was no current remediation stan- dard for cleaning homes which had had drug labs.
“What we do when we locate a lab is placard the property,” he said.
“The owner is notified that a crime lab has been located on the property and that it is not safe to reside there until it is remediated.”
Mr Hodder said he and his daughter Elizabeth decontaminated about one home a month in Townsville, mainly in social housing.
A Department of Hous- Want to find new customers online? ing and Public Works spokesman said the department followed Australian Government Clandestine Drug Laboratory Remediation Guidelines. “Qualified professional cleaners are engaged to clean the property. Once this is completed, further testing is done to ensure there is no contamination and the home is safe for use,” she said. A Health Minister spokeswoman said local governments were responsible under the Public Health Act 2005 for enforcing regulations relating to addressing health risks associated with former drug labs at private properties.
“The Queensland Government is preparing draft voluntary guidelines to further help local governments address the remediation of former clandestine drug laboratories,” she said.