Field Guide to
Meth Labs
By Anne-Marie Siudzinski, Information Specialist
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C O N T E N T S
The Growing Epidemic of Meth Labs
Meth Labs & Property Management
Disclosure Issues
Decontamination
Other Resources
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The production of methamphetamine is alarmingly simple, composed of readily available, household items. The resulting chemical cocktail permeates nearly every surface of the home and property, exposure to which can lead to cancer, organ damage and numerous other health problems, particularly to children. The effects on homes and property are long-lasting and cleanup requires a hazardous materials team. This Field Guide contains information for REALTORS® and property managers regarding warning signs, disclosure laws, and hazardous effects of meth and meth labs upon humans and property.
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The Growing Epidemic of Meth Labs
Anti-meth law cuts labs found in Alabama by half, (Birmingham News, May 23, 2007).
Meth Lab Found Aboard 48-Foot Yacht, (Orlando Local 6 News, May 17, 2007).
Dangers of Dumped Meth Labs, (Fox 21 News, May 6, 2007).
Candy-Flavored Meth Targets New Users, (CBS News, April 24, 2007).
Study: Meth use in rural areas riskier, (San Francisco Examiner, April 24, 2007).
Man Accused of Towing Meth Lab in Trailer, (KPHO Phoenix, April 23, 2007).
Meth-exposed furniture at yard sale prompts arrests, (WMC-TV Memphis, April, 2007).
Amateur Meth Labs Often Have the Littlest Victims, (CBS 42 Austin, TX, February 27, 2007).
Woman's car stolen, used as rolling meth lab, (The Denver Channel, November 10, 2006).
Meth remains a problem in NW Minnesota, (Thief River Falls Times, November 7, 2006).
About half of state's convenience stores following meth law, (The News Gazette, November 2, 2006).
The meth epidemic in America: The criminal effect of meth on communities - a 2006 survey of U.S. counties, (National Association of Counties, July 18, 2006).
Meth in your state, (MethResources.gov, 2006).
As laws dry up home meth labs, Mexican cartels flood U.S. market, (Banderas News, Sept., 2005 ).
More than 400 arrested in sweep of U.S. meth labs, , (USA Today, Aug. 30, 2005 ).
SW Illinois gets federal funds to fight meth, (St. Louis Business Journal, Aug. 15, 2005 ).
'I Felt My Face Just Melting', (Newsweek, Aug. 8, 2005 ). 
Study shows methamphetamine #1 drug problem nationwide, (KVOA Arizona, July 6, 2005 ).
Meth fallout affects everyone, (Linton Daily Citizen, Apr. 4, 2005 ).
Burn patients on rise; meth labs blamed, (Daily American Republic, Apr. 4, 2005 ).
Panel looks to protect children from meth labs, (Billings Gazette, Mar. 22, 2005).
Firefighters face dangers of meth labs, (Fox21.com, Mar. 22, 2005 ).
Feds: Meth Seizure Largest In Eastern U.S., (CNN, Mar. 9, 2005 ).
The Methamphetamine Problem: A Question and Answer Guide, (Institute for Intergovernmental Research, 2004).
What is a Meth Lab?, (Minnesota Department of Health, 2004).
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Is there a meth lab operation on your property? What to look for:
Strong chemical odors (e.g., ether, cat urine, ammonia)
Blacked-out windows
Frequent visitors at odd times
Rent payments made in cash
Excessive trash (e.g., fuel cans, antifreeze containers, and other household products)
Red-stained walls; stripped batteries; and blue, corroded valves on propane cylinders
Source: Life After Meth, (Journal of Property Management, May/June 2003, p 62-66).
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Meth Labs & Property Management
Meth toxins leave family homeless, (Cincinnati Enquirer, May 14, 2007 ).
House keeps meth lab cleanup costs with landlords, (Jackson Hole Star-Tribune, February 2007 ).
Property owners and landlords, (San Diego Dept. of Health, June 2006 ).
Meth explosion, (Journal of Property Management, Jan./Feb. 2006 ).
A drug lab? On my property?, (Texas REALTOR®, Sept./Oct. 2005).
Good Management Can Stamp Out Apartment Meth Labs, (National Association of Home Builders, Jan. 23, 2004). |
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Disclosure Issues
State and legislative laws about selling houses and homes used for cooking methamphetamine, (KCI.org, 2006).
Minnesota sellers' disclosure requirement, (MinnesotaREALTOR.com, Jan. 2006).
Crack down: State Attorney General Rob McKenna takes on meth, public disclosure laws, (Puget Sound Business Journal, Aug. 5, 2005 ).
Dangerous residue: was your home a meth lab?, (Denver Channel, Feb. 13, 2004).
Sellers forced to disclose any problems with property, (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Jan. 17, 2004).
Telling all about your house, (Bank Rate, 2004).
Costly and Hazardous - Meth Labs, (Access Kansas, 2004). |
Books, eBooks & Other Resources
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Decontamination
Clandestine drug lab general cleanup guidance, (Minnesota Dept of Health, July 2006 ).
Makeshift Meth Labs a Growing Danger for Responders, Children, (Occupational Health & Safety, July 2005 ).
Meth Labs: Understanding exposure hazards and associated problems, (Professional Safety, June 2005 ).
Who cleans up meth?, (News-leader.com, Mar. 13, 2005 ).
NMHC/NAA Testimony on Meth Lab Cleanup Standards, (National Multi-Housing Council, Mar. 3, 2005 ).
Meth cleanup not covered by most insurance policies, (Tri-City Herald, Apr. 25, 2002 ).
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The material on this page is presented by
NAR's Information Central.
Updated May 2007
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