The Urgent Need for Meth Residue Testing: Health Risks, Contamination Hazards, and Legal Considerations
Rising Methamphetamine Use in Australia
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant that produces intense euphoric highs, which are followed by a let-down phase, a “crash” marked by depression, irritability, insomnia, nervousness, and paranoid aggressive behaviours. The International SCORE (Sewage analysis CORe group Europe) collaboration1 recently ranked Australia as second in terms of per capita methamphetamine use of the 30 member nations.
Health Risks and Long-Term Effects of Methamphetamine Residues on Surfaces
Methamphetamine will leave persistent residues on surfaces (benchtops, upholstery, walls, ceiling, flooring, tiles, air-conditioning, ventilation ducts) after manufacture (“cooking”) and smoking. The level of risk depends on the amount of contamination and the susceptibility of the exposed, but they are significant. Short-term exposure effects include recurrent headaches, nausea, dizziness, and respiratory problems. Even minimal exposure can be detrimental, especially for children, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. Long-term exposure can lead to chronic respiratory problems (bronchitis, recurrent respiratory infections, induced asthma), psychiatric/behavioural problems, neurocognitive injury (memory, cognitive impairment), and an increased risk of cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma and lung cancer).
Exposure Risks and Persistent Health Hazards of Methamphetamine Residues in Contaminated Environments
Exposure can be by skin absorption, eating foods in contact with the residues or (for older children and adults) by breathing in the residues. Children are at greatest risk (given their higher metabolic rate, low body mass and developing CNS) – the EPIC National Clandestine Laboratory Seizure Report 20032 reported ~55% of children tested from sites of former meth home labs test positive for significant levels of meth and other toxic chemicals involved in its manufacture (Messina et al 2015)3. Wright et al (2017)4 reporting on the health effects on children living in former (i.e., supposedly now clean) meth smoke houses and labs emphasised the persisting health risks of methamphetamine environmental contamination (even to adults) which underlines the need for extensive methamphetamine residue testing and thorough cleaning of such sites when identified.
Legal implications
Meth residue contamination has significant legal implications: property owners and landlords can face liability for any injuries or harm resulting from exposure to meth residue on their premises, including physical harm to occupants and financial losses incurred due to the contamination.
Addressing Health Risks of Methamphetamine Residues: The Importance of Testing and Decontamination
With the increasing meth use nation-wide (the latest National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program report5 shows record high Capital/urban meth use) meth residues pose a serious health challenge – and the first step to address it is meth residue testing followed – if the site is contaminated – by a thorough decontamination.
References
- score-network.eu
- The National Clandestine Laboratory Seizure Report!(EPIC Form 14 OK3) www. We get thereeginfo.gov>DownloadDocument
- Messina N, Marinelli-Casey P, West K, Rawson R. Children exposed to methamphetamine use and manufacture Child Abue Negl. Nov 2014; 38(11): 1872-1883
- Wright W, Keneally ME, Edwards JW, Stewart Walker G. associated with Living in a former Methamphetamine Laboratory – Victoria, Australia 2015 Morbidity and Mortality Weely 6 Jan 2017; 65(52): 1470 – 1473
- www.acic.gov.au/publications