Meth contamination can occur during manufacture and during use. 

​

Manufacture:

Various methods are used to "cook" methamphetamine.

Toxic vapours and gases are given off during the heating process which contaminate the immediate area. Immediate exposure health effects can result from sudden releases of toxic material, explosions or fire which in some instances may pose an immediate threat to life or long term disability, particularly from the respiratory effects of corrosive or poisonous gases or from large scale tissue damage. Up to 20% of clan labs in residences in Australia are identified as a result of an explosion or fire. In the US, New Zealand and Australia, it has been reported that many people have been killed or severely injured as a result of clan lab explosions.

If a "cook" is successful, meth residues can be found on all surfaces in the clan lab with concentrations near extraction points in the room

Contamination may also occur when waste products are dumped in clan lab yards or discarded into the sewerage system

​

Data from hundreds of drug labs tested show residual meth contamination from 0.05µg/100cm2 up to 4000 µg/100cm2.

The Australian National safe guideline is 0.05µg/100cm2

 

Meth Use:

There are three main forms of methamphetamine: powder (speed), base, and crystal. Of particular concern is the crystalline form of methamphetamine, known as ‘ice’. Ice, also known as crystal meth, is the most potent form of methamphetamine, and is usually smoked or injected.

Smoking has become the main method of administration. Statistics show that among ice users, the majority (78%) prefer to smoke it.

​

Smoking involves heating the crystal to release a vapour which is then inhaled. This vapour is able to permeate any porous surface in the room where its being used and can settle as a residue on non-porous surfaces. Prolonged use over time can result in higher levels of contamination with some "smoke houses" found to have residue up to 10µg/100cm2. 

The Australian National safe guideline is 0.05µg/100cm2

​

Secondary contamination can occur when our bodies come in contact with residues left behind. Meth can be absorbed into our bodies by dermal absorption or by ingestion of residues from incidental hand to mouth contact or by inhalation. Dermal absorption accounts for 80-95% of total intake.

Inhalation of residue may occur if particles are re-suspended into the air.

There have been reports of people, including children, exposed to or living in un-remediated labs with throat irritations, skin irritation and burns, nausea, respiratory issues and behavioural changes, particularly in children. Other effects commonly reported include skin rashes, sore and watering eyes (potentially associated with respiratory problems and increased susceptibility to infections), sleep disturbance, headaches and dizziness