Both the manufacture and smoking of methamphetamine will leave residue on the property.
For smoking the levels of residue tends to increase as more smoking occurs. Some surface areas may have a higher concentration than others due to the proximity of smoking as well accumulation associated with air flows. There are potential harmful effects of exposure to these residues, especially to infants and young children.
Some forms of methamphetamine manufacture involve hazardous chemicals which are potentially explosive as well as toxic. Residues of these chemicals can remain long after a clandestine lab has been shut down, causing a range of possible health problems for people living in the vicinity.
Along with its health hazards, manufacturing this drug creates a profound environmental impact. For every kilogram of meth manufactured produces 7-10 kilograms of toxic by-product, when disposed of generally effects the following areas:
- Indoor areas; include sinks, toilets, bathtubs, crawl spaces, plumbing traps and floor drains, vents, vent fans and chimney flues.
- Outdoor areas; may include soil, surface water, groundwater, sewer or storm water systems [and on-site effluent treatment systems].
- Outdoor cooking areas could include camping stoves or other outdoor areas where cooking could occur.
Environmental contamination may be caused by spills, boil-overs, explosions, or by chemical fumes and gases created during the heating and distilling portions of the ‘cooking’ process. Indoor areas affected may include floors, walls and ceilings, working surfaces, furniture, carpeting, draperies and other textile products, plumbing fixtures and drains, or heating and air-conditioning vents.