Meth House Nightmare

Copyright Carl Brahe - Inspection Perfection Inc. 2004 all rights reserved.

A common misconception about meth labs is that a meth lab is a place where methamphetamine is manufactured. Colorado Statutes defines a meth lab so liberally that it includes places where meth has been used or manufacturing equipment, wastes or chemicals have been stored. Making things more risky is the fact that a house may receive the meth lab designation on the word of a trash collector, or other untrained person.

When a house is designated a meth house, law enforcement officers may arrive unannounced, evict the residents with no belongings and close the building to all but law enforcement personnel and industrial hygienists (IH). It’s estimated that there are about 2400 meth labs in residential buildings in Colorado.

The owners may have the property tested by an IH and released after proper remediation. Remediation must conform to state law requirements. No shortcuts are allowed. At this time, a Decision Statement is issued. If the IH issuing the statement is properly credentialed, the owner is then protected from future lawsuits. This must be done within 120 days.

If remediation requirements are not met, the governing body will seize the property, rehab it and sell it to pay their expenses. Buyers have up to three years in Colorado to hold sellers responsible. If it is discovered during this time that meth was used or manufactured on the property buyers and subsequent buyers can hold sellers responsible for all damages to health, happiness and contamination of property.

The dangers that go along with meth houses include exposure to cancer causing chemicals that can saturate walls, carpets and other building materials as well as all contents. Lead and mercury are common byproducts. Chemicals, such as solvents, may be disposed of in plumbing or simple poured on the ground. If not removed properly these can cause various health problems.

Meth may be smoked or manufactured in cars. These cars expose drivers and passengers to the same dangers as being in a building where it was used or made.

The most immediate danger is the meth
manufacturer. Meth causes extreme paranoia
and symptoms similar to OCD, obsessive
compulsive disorder. Howard Hughes had OCD.
In the movie, The Aviator, there were scenes
where Hughes locked himself in a dark room
out of fear (paranoia). He collected junk and
bottles of urine. He lived amongst the growing
clutter. This is similar to meth houses that
have been raided. Meth users called
“Tinkle Tweekers” even save their urine in
bottles stored in living areas to reclaim the
unmetabolized meth from the urine.

Most people with OCD are pretty harmless
except to themselves. The paranoid meth
user can be very dangerous according to
police reports. They are often reported to
have large, sometimes bizarre, weapon
collections that may be heavy on knives.
Booby traps are reportedly set to protect the
person’s meth stash.

Meth users and manufacturers include people from
all lifestyles. Doctors, lawyers and dentists are no
more immune than factory workers or roofers. Meth
labs are found in neighborhoods from affluent to poor.

When you enter a property take a deep breath. A cat urine smell is often associated with meth. Other odors to be aware of are ammonia, vanilla, solvents or metallic smells. These are warning signs.

Meth users sometimes become obsessive about objects. They may dismantle things like remote controls, watches or electronic devices. The objects can sometimes be found in a pile dismantled down to the smallest part.

Large amounts of household products are a tip off. Common products are used to manufacture meth that can found in an average home, except in a meth lab large quantities of common items may be in odd places. If you see multiple packages of lye, Heet, Coleman fuel, peroxide, pseudo-ephedrine or coffee filters in odd places, like stored in a bathroom, closet or kitchen, this is an indication that it may be wise to forget any involvement in the property. The occupant may be a warehouse club shopper with no sense of organization, but he/she may not be.

Propane bottles, or fire extinguishers, that have been altered, or have a blue stain on the connector, may indicate that anhydrous ammonia has been stored in the container. Anhydrous ammonia can be explosive in the right circumstances. It reacts with the metal leaving the connector corroded.

Iodine may be used in meth manufacturing. Iodine is a substance that goes from solid to gas state without becoming liquid. It sticks to everything and spreads on contact. Iodine stains walls and everything else. The stain may be red or yellow. It may be very noticeable if a photo, or other wall hanging is moved, revealing the contrast between stained and unstained.

Meth labs may be hidden behind false walls or other building alterations. Alterations that make no sense should be suspect, such as: exhaust fans mounted where they have no logical use; bootlegged power supply; rooms that are unexplainably small.

Inspection Perfection provides a quick, inexpensive test kit to detect minute residue from the use or manufacture of amphetamine or methamphetamine. A collection paper is rubbed over a surface where residue may be left from smoking or handling meth. A reagent is dripped onto the collection papaer that turns blue if amphetamine, methamphetamine or extasy residue is present.

A positive test may happen in places where meth has been used, as well as manufactured. This test is for the actual residue of the drug only. It doesn’t test for chemicals used in the manufacture or those that are produced in the process. A positive test tells you to proceed with caution.

The following list by: Chemist Lynn Riemer Of The North Metro Drug Task Force
Meth lab signs
• Yellow discoloration on walls, drains, sinks and showers
• Blue discoloration on valves of propane tanks and fire extinguishers
• Fire detectors that are removed or taped off
• Experiencing physical symptoms while inside the house, such as burning in your eyes or throat, itching, a metallic taste in your mouth and breathing problems
• Unusual strong odors that smell like materials from a garage, such as solvent and paint thinner, cat urine or ammonia
• The use of security cameras and surveillance equipment

Signs that property owners should look for with their homes and tenants:
• Tenants who behave oddly and are extremely thin, have open sores, bad teeth or dilated pupils
• Large amounts of trash with items such as lithium batteries, torn-apart matchbooks, water bottles, cold medicine packs and antifreeze containers
• Discolored coffee filters that are not brown
• Plexiglas or other dark-colored cookware
• Glass containers with two layered liquids and chemistry sets

Thanks to Caoimhin Connell, our IH who provided the basic info for this article. He consulted with CO state Senator Brandon about the presently proposed legislation. He was also involved in writing the present meth lab laws. His recently updated website (2/06) provides info on current CO meth lab regulations: http://www.forensic-applications.com/meth/coloregs.html

For more extensive info about identifying meth houses go to: http://www.forensic-applications.com/meth/recognition.html
This page has a lot of good photos as well.

FOR YOUR OWN PEACE OF MIND TEST BEFORE MAKING A COMMITMENT TO BUY, SELL, RENT OR LIST.

ORDER A RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT - Includes all known meth labs within 1/2 mile. This report may not list meth labs in Colorado. There is no legal requirement for law enforcement nor judicial departments to report a known meth lab.This is the voluntary responsibility of the owner. Call local police and sheriffs departments to inquire if a property is a known drug lab that has not been reported.

This 10 second test for amphetamine and methamphetamine residue that is used by th US military. We have arranged to buy these tests in bulk and make them available to real estate professionals. Two test in each kits for $15.

ORDER METH RESIDUE TEST KIT

Meth residue can cause many health problems that are similar to those caused by other indoor air pollutants. National Jewish Hospital offers an indoor air quality test that identifies many of these pollutants.