CRISIS CLEANING

Meth: Is it the Scourge of Indiana and Our Nation?

2012-02-17T11:07:00.000-08:00

Everywhere you turn you hear another story about a meth lab bust. But we know for every illegal lab that gets busted there are many more that are operating that are never busted. Now, with the one-pot method addicts are making their own meth and many people are receiving serious burns or even being killed.

For instance in our home state of Indiana, Evansville is trying to get legislation to make it a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. If they gain that title it will enable more funds and resources to be allotted to the war on meth in their county. Two northwestern Indiana counties already have that distinction.

Then in the middle of the state we have numerous labs that are busted every day. So Indiana is quickly becoming covered with the scourge of meth, which should give renters and new homebuyers cause for concern. Many of these homes where meth labs were present, but they were never busted, are put on the market or placed on the foreclosure list for sale. Or a landlord will clean a property after a tenant moves out and he is none the wiser that a meth lab was ever on his premises. This opens the door for innocent people to move in and begin living with meth.

Methamphetamine residue is very harmful and it doesn’t go away over time. The occupants may first notice they have respiratory problems, or kidney ailments, or even unexplained rashes. The very thought of an infant crawling on a carpet where meth had been cooked or smoked in the home, makes me cringe. The home has to be decontaminated.

Crisis Cleaning is Indiana’s leading meth lab cleanup company. They use a product called Crystal Clean that actually renders inert or kills the meth residue. Check us out at www.crisiscleaning.com. Or you can find a recent article about Crisis Cleaning at http://homecleanermagazine.com/.

WHY I CLEAN METH

2012-02-03T11:52:00.000-08:00

When I was a young girl, my father became an entrepreneur after he quit his secure job at Eli Lilly Corporation as a union electrician in 1972 and started his own electrical contracting business. I have many memories sitting around our family dining room table during evening meals listening to dad and mom talking about the business. In many ways my preparation for running a corporation began back in the seventies at that very dining room table.

In 1979, the same year I graduated from high school and started working for my father’s company, my grandfather retired, so my father purchased his father’s general contracting company.

In 1984 my father appointed me President of the family business and gifted me with 10 percent ownership shares in the corporation. Fortunately, I gained the fortitude to steer the helm of the family contracting business in the direction of performing insurance repair work rather than continue as a general construction company.

In the 1990’s I continued my education and training and received many certifications from IICRC [Institute of Inspection Cleaning Repairs Corporation]. IICRC establishes nationally recognized rules and regulations for restoration contractors who perform fire, wind, water and mold remediation work. Our family business is a certified firm of IICRC.

In 2001, I attended an IICRC training class. One section covered death and crime scene cleaning; this course peaked my interest. Since our company was already certified for cleaning in odor, fire and smoke damage; it seemed logical to add death and crime scene cleaning to our list of services. However, marketing a general contracting company as a cleaning company for a death scene seemed quite difficult. Therefore, in 2001 I created a sister company called Crisis Cleaning.

Under the new company name I attended trade shows of funeral directors, coroners and sheriffs whenever they held annual conferences. In the summer of 2006, during the annual sheriff’s trade show, many sheriffs who came by our booth asked if our company did meth lab cleaning. Multiple sheriffs told us how much of a problem it was becoming and that there was a great need for companies to assist in the cleaning of meth lab contaminated homes. They weren’t talking about helping law enforcement with the removal of chemicals from the home. They were talking about the cleanup of the properties from the residue left after the cooking or smoking of methamphetamine. I remembered the important business fact about starting a successful business. “Find a unique niche, or fill a need or demand that’s not being met and you’ll have lots of business.” I felt deep in my heart that this was the niche or need that was not being effectively met and decided to pursue this further.

In 2006, I did research on meth lab cleaning and discovered that our own state of Indiana was in the process of creating laws governing the cleanup of illegal drug labs. Therefore, I took all the required training classes and obtained certification from IDEM [Indiana Department of Environmental Management] in January, 2007 as a Qualified Inspector.

On March 23, 2007 Indiana’s new drug lab law governing the cleanup of illegal drug labs became effective. My name and company were listed on their website as a company qualified in Indiana to perform inspections, testing and decontamination services on illegal drug labs.

Unlike death and crime scene cleaning, most property owners found themselves dealing with the costs of cleaning up meth contaminated properties without the assistance of insurance coverage. When property owners, including rental property owners, called their insurance companies to report a claim, they were told “No, the testing and cleaning of meth lab residue were not covered.” At that time, I did not do my own research, I, like most property owners, accepted the verbal refusal from the insurance companies.

With the denial of insurance proceeds, many property owners were cleaning up their meth lab contaminated properties on their own even though Indiana’s drug lab law only allowed such cleaning by property owners under the written supervision of a Qualified Inspector. After doing their own cleaning without consulting a Qualified Inspector; property owners called our company to schedule testing. They hoped their cleaning efforts were successful in ridding their property of methamphetamine contamination.

Unfortunately, I found, without proper instructions, many property owners were using the wrong products or were covering over the methamphetamine contamination by painting. They did not realize that painting alone, especially using the wrong type of paint, does not encapsulate the methamphetamine contamination. The methamphetamine contamination was seeping through the paint.

Knowing that most property owners were faced with the financial burden of funding the cleanup themselves and without proper instructions; I again felt the same urging to fill an unmet need as I did in 2006 when the sheriffs asked if our company provided meth lab cleaning services. Therefore, in 2009 I began writing this book to fill the need of providing a proper step-by-step guide to cleaning meth residue in the home based on my professional experiences.

It wasn’t until April 2010 on a particular decontamination job the property owners were successful in obtaining insurance proceeds to cover all the costs of the testing and decontamination services that our company performed for them. Their insurance company even covered all the costs of replacement and repairs that were necessary for all porous items {structural or personal contents} that had to be disposed of.

However, there are many states without drug lab laws. Property owners in those states may be forced to do the cleanup themselves, especially if insurance proceeds are not available in their situation. The need for effective step-by-step instructions still exists, which fueled my desire to continue and finish this book.

I’m sure there will be critics of this book, particularly remediation contractors who will say cleaning of an illegal drug lab is too dangerous for property owners to do themselves. My response is, “It’s even more dangerous for property owners to do the cleanup of an illegal drug lab without the proper instructions!” Therefore, the purpose of this book is to provide property owners with the effective information needed to safely undertake such tasks on their own.

While there are several states with regulations that do not permit property owners to do their own cleanup, several states do permit the property owner to perform this task under the supervision of the remediation contractor who is qualified in that state to perform meth lab decontamination services. There are also many states without any regulations at all. This book will provide the knowledge and resources to many property owners who don’t have a clue what they should do if faced with meth contaminated property.

Once the dangerous chemicals are removed from the home by law enforcement, the contamination of meth residue, as a result of cooking or smoking meth in the property, is still there lurking unseen in the interior of the home. It must be cleaned up before the property is safe for habitation, especially by small children.

One Pot Meth Method is Costing You, The Taxpayer, Thousands or Possibly Millions of Dollars

2012-01-27T10:55:00.000-08:00

The makeshift shake and bake method of making methamphetamine is sending thousands of uninsured burn patients to hospitals across our nation. Combined they require millions of dollars in treatment. Since most are uninsured the hospital absorbs the cost, which is contributing to the closure of some burn units.
The one pot method is made by combining unstable ingredients in a 2-liter soda bottle. If the person mixing the poisonous concoction makes even the smallest mistake, like removing the cap too soon or accidentally puncturing the plastic bottle, the vile stuff can explode. The explosion combined with the dangerous chemicals, burns flesh and may cause permanent disfigurement or blindness, and possibly even death in some cases.
An Associated Press survey of several states with high methamphetamine activity showed that up to a third of the patients in some burn units had suffered meth related burns, and most were uninsured. Treatment costs can be $6,000 per day and their stay may be lengthy due to the severity of the burns from the fire and the chemical burn damage to their lungs and windpipe and may reach $130,000.
Consolidation has played a part in some of the seven burn units which have recently closed, but the cost of treating uninsured patients is the main contributing factor. And many of the uninsured cases were linked to methamphetamine manufacturing.
Most of the burn patients that are discovered to be meth users or manufacturers lie about how they were burned. This complicates the process of trying to determine the dollar amount that taxpayers have to pay, but it is estimated to be at least tens if not hundreds of millions.
Big meth labs in homes, garages, sheds, etc. have been exploding for years, but the health risk for the shake and bake method is that the meth maker often holds the container close to their body. This causes severe burns from the face to the waist.
The one pot method has become popular because the addict or meth maker can carry everything he or she needs in a backpack. This method is also quicker; it produces meth in a matter of minutes after the volatile solution is combined. This can be accomplished in a bathroom stall or a car. The convenience of the one pot method has helped many people to make their own meth instead of buying it from a meth manufacturer, who has a big production lab. But the shake and bake method comes with many risks and is a huge factor in the rising count of burn patients.
Around three fourths of the meth lab busts in Indiana are now of the shake and bake variety. Niki Crawford of the Indiana State Police Meth Suppression Team says the one pot method is the culprit for the rise in meth injuries, which are mainly serious burns. She also stated that Indiana had eighty-nine meth related injuries from 1999 to 2009, but has now had over seventy in twenty-three months.
Some burn victims suffer such severe damage that reconstructive surgery is warranted and with only approximately ten percent having insurance coverage, it is left to the hospital to absorb the cost and thus is passed on to the taxpayer.

Can Children’s Toys, Clothes and Bedding Found in a Meth Contaminated Home be Saved?

2012-01-20T11:24:00.000-08:00

Most children’s toys, clothes and bedding are considered porous items and are hard to be cleaned effectively, especially if they are found in a room with high levels of methamphetamine concentration. It is recommended they be thrown away. Porous items can include, but are not limited to the following items:

Infant bottles, nipples, utensils
Infant toys that are put in the mouth
Stuffed toys or animals
Children’s clothing in highly contaminated areas
Mattresses, sheets and bedding, especially baby blankets
Upholstered furniture or chairs
Papers or books
Plastic containers or flatware
Curtains or wall coverings
Untreated or unfinished wood furniture

You can see from the items listed above that innocent babies and children definitely come out on the losing side when their parents or guardians cook or smoke meth in their presence or even just in the home where they reside. Children who are found living in a meth home will be removed and taken to the hospital to be checked for contamination.

Some non-porous items can be effectively cleaned, such as hard surface furniture made of pre-finished wood or metal that was not in a highly contaminated area. However, any hard surface furniture made of plastic, unfinished wood or porous material is more difficult if not impossible to clean successfully.

If you have items that need to be discarded, dispose of them in a solid waste landfill and make sure you notify the landfill that these items came from a meth contaminated property. Always obtain a receipt for what you disposed of at their facility. You may be asked for proof of this from your local health department or the cleanup contractor with whom you are working.

We work closely with Child Protective Services. If you have any questions or know of a situation that concerns you, please don’t hesitate to call us toll free at 1-877-260-4828.

What is Methamphetamine?

2012-01-13T09:11:00.000-08:00

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive, synthetic, stimulant drug that activates the pleasure centers in your brain. There are many street names given to methamphetamine - meth, ice, crystal, glass, speed, chalk, croak, biker’s coffee, fire, stove top, tweek, tweak or tina...just to name a few. Amphetamine, which is the parent drug of meth, has been used legally as nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers. However, the effects of meth on those who use it are much more potent, longer lasting and more harmful to the central nervous system than amphetamine. It can come in many forms

including crystal, powder and tablet. The most common form used by recreational users is the crystal. Due to its high nature of abuse, it is considered as a Class A drug and is available only through prescriptions which are prescribed in doses which are less than those that are used for abuse.

What is a Clandestine Meth Lab?

The word Clandestine means secret and refers to labs where illegal drugs are manufactured. Clandestine labs can produce a variety of drugs such as methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy), and Gamma-hydroxybutyrate, more commonly known as the date rape drug. See the Appendix B for more listings of drugs that are manufactured during the cooking process. DEA has a National Clandestine Laboratory Register website which lists by state the property addresses that have been seized by law enforcement for illegal manufacturing of drug labs. Unfortunately, this website is not actively updated. Just because a property is not listed on the website, does not mean it's not meth contaminated property. Many meth contaminated properties never make it to the DEA's website.

Brief History of Methamphetamine

Amphetamines were first made in 1887

Germany

, although nothing was done with the drug at the time. Amphetamines were widely used during World War II to keep the fighting men awake. After World War II, intravenous methamphetamine abuse in

Japan

reached epidemic proportions immediately, when supplies stored for military use became available to the public. Around the 1950’s in the

United States

, both dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and methamphetamine (Methedrine) were manufactured as legal tablets, which became readily available. They were used by truck drivers, house wives (for diet aid), athletes and college students. Abuse soon became evident after the wide spread use of amphetamines. In the 1960s there was a drastic change to injectable methamphetamine until 1970, when the Controlled Substances Act severely restricted the legal production of injectable methamphetamine, causing the use to greatly decrease. While it has been over a hundred years since amphetamines were first manufactured, the use and abuse has not stopped.

What is Used to Make Meth?

Meth can be made or "cooked," from over-the-counter medications and a variety of common household items such as paint thinner, acetone, ammonia, freon, ether, anhydrous ammonia, iodine crystals, red phosphorus, drain cleaner, battery acid and lithium. Labs are manufactured and meth is cooked in homes, motel rooms, attics, storage sheds, automobiles, parks – virtually anywhere imaginable. If you own rental property and make inspections from time to time, here are some of the signs to look for that could point to a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory.

· A large number of cans of camp fuel, paint thinner, acetone, starter fluid.

· Lye and drain cleaners containing Sulfuric Acid or bottles containing Muriatic Acid.

· Large amounts of lithium batteries.

· Propane tanks with fittings that have turned blue.

· Soft silver or gray metallic ribbon (in chunk form) stored in oil or Kerosene.

· Strong smell of urine, or unusual chemical smells like ether, ammonia or acetone.

· A large amount of cold tablet containers of Ephedrine or Pseudoephedrine.

· Jars containing clear liquid with a white or red colored solid on the bottom.

· Jars containing dark, shiny, metallic, purple crystals (Iodine).

· Jars containing a fine dark red or purple powder (red phosphorus).

· Coffee filters containing a white pasty substance, shiny white crystals or red sludge.

· Bottles of Sulfuric, Muriatic or Hydrochloric Acid.

· Bottles or jars with rubber tubing attached.

· Glass cookware or frying pans containing a powdery residue.

Once the manufacturing of meth is completed there are four methods to intake the drug:

1. Meth tablet (Oral)

2. Smoke meth

3. Snorting meth

4. Injecting meth

Tablet Meth (Oral)

Tablets are only provided under doctor supervision for use with ADHA or to be used for weight loss. Effects of the drug taken orally by tablet are felt by the user in around 15 – 20 minutes. Pills are often ingested orally and they can also be crushed into powder and smoked. Methamphetamine tablets/pills which are generally a composite of methamphetamine and caffeine are often referred to by their Thai name, y aba “crazy medicine”.

Smoking Meth

This is a photograph of an actual “Meth Pipe” found by one of my technicians on a decontamination project. The real name is

“eucalyptus inhaler” because eucalyptus steam inhalation is recommended by some alternative practitioners for relieving nasal and sinus congestion, usually colds and flu. Eucalyptus oil is an essential oil which can be found in many health food stores and online and used in the eucalyptus inhaler to relieve their nasal symptoms. Of the four common ways to intake methamphetamine, smoking crystal meth is the most popular and common way of in-take for meth users. Meth is placed into the pipe, then heat is added, usually with a cigarette lighter causing the meth to vaporize so it can be drawn into the lungs. Meth requires a temperature that causes the compound to vaporize. These pipes are also used for crack cocaine as well. While these meth pipes can be purchased at adult entertainment stores, meth users make meth pipes out of a variety of items; such as halogen light bulbs and aluminum foil. Effects of the drug are felt by the user in around 15-20 seconds of administration.

Snorting Meth

Snorting meth, also called cristy, zip, go-fast, chalk, speed or shabu is not always used because it provides different experiences for the user than through the other methods. Effects of the drug are felt by users in around 10 seconds. After effects are exhibited 6 -8 hours consisting of an initial rush or “high” then a condition of extreme anxiety, which may lead to violent or uncontrolled behavior.

Injecting Meth

The least common used method for taking meth is by injection. It is also known as slamming, but carries quite serious risks. Injecting meth is used mostly by advanced meth users as the effects are faster to overwhelm the body and less of the drug is wasted. Effects of the drug are felt by users in around 10 seconds. Injection users may use doses ranging from 125 mg to over a gram, using a small needle. While this dosage may be fatal to non-addicts, addicted meth users quickly develop tolerance to the drug. Sharing of needles to inject the drug can also transmit HIV or hepatitis, as well.

Effects of Meth on Users

1. Meth effects on the brain – meth destroys the brain cells changing the structure of the brain.

2. Other physical effects – lungs, heart, blood pressure, liver, kidneys, eyes, mouth, skin, muscles, causes strokes and heart attacks.

3. Psychological dangers – aggressive behavior, insomnia, paranoia, desperation, panic attacks, obsessive behavior, insomnia, suicidal thoughts.

4. Short term effects – decreased appetite, or irregular heart rate, excessive sweating, dilated pupils, headache, diarrhea, hallucinations, shortness of breath.

5. Long term effects – addiction, damage to brain cells, extreme weight loss, damage to blood vessels, dental problems, skin abscesses, weakening of the immune system, memory loss and seizures.

Meth Lab Explosions

Meth labs are hazardous and due to the poisonous and explosive nature of chemicals used in cooking the drug methamphetamine, meth labs are considered to be a danger to both the user involved in the lab and the occupant living in the home. Many times meth labs explode during the "cooking" process, resulting in a fire, which is how they are first discovered.

Are There Any Health Risks?

While we know there are health risks involved to the user of methamphetamine drug labs, the real question and concern is, are there real health risks to innocent third party occupants of meth contaminated homes? There are varied opinions and a variety of articles written about the health risks from exposure to meth. Although, research is still evolving, the National Jewish Medical and Research Center performed a study that was designed to identify and measure potential chemical exposures associated with the investigation of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories. The study made the following conclusions:

· Exposures to levels of hydrogen chloride that exceed current occupational levels are likely.

· Most items and individuals in the vicinity of the cooking process will be contaminated with methamphetamine.

· Chemicals from the cook will have spread not only in the immediate area, but throughout the building as well.

· All children within that building are likely to have been exposed to methamphetamine and other chemicals and should be considered as exposed and contaminated.

The National Jewish Medical and Research Center also performed "A 24-Hour Study to Investigate Chemical Exposures Associated with Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratories" in August, 2005.

The study was designed to determine the primary chemical exposures associated with clandestine methamphetamine laboratories and study the migration and persistence of the chemicals over a 24-hour period. In addition, this study looked at various activities, such as walking and vacuuming in the methamphetamine lab to determine exposures that may result from re-suspension of chemicals from contaminated surfaces. Based on their findings, the study made the following conclusions:

Detectable airborne concentrations of hydrochloric acid, iodine and methamphetamine will remain within a structure for at least 24 hours.

· Normal household activities, such as walking and vacuuming can re-suspend hydrochloric acid, iodine and methamphetamine from contaminated surfaces.

· Airborne methamphetamine exposures on the day after a methamphetamine cook are similar to those seen in remote areas of a house during a cook.

· The majority of airborne methamphetamines are present as very small particles (<1 um) or as a vapor. This finding indicates that methamphetamine during a methamphetamine cook or up to 24 hours after a methamphetamine cook penetrates deep into the lungs to the gas exchange region where it is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream.

Effects of Meth on Occupants

Symptoms discovered by the study conducted by The National Jewish Medical Research Center, reported symptoms from meth labs were:

· Asthma,

· Pulmonary Fibrosis,

· Upper Respiratory Complaints

The study concluded that it is unknown whether these symptoms were from meth, or the chemicals used in cooking meth. In either case, the property needs to be decontaminated so it is safe for human habitation and in particular for small children. As multiple news articles have listed health issues of people who have unknowing purchased a home only to find it has been a meth lab property. The reported effects were:

· Kidney ailments

· Unexplained rashes

· Flu like symptoms

· Upper Respiratory Distress

For more information about health effects, studies and statistics, particularly involving children, you can also check out the very informative book, "The Meth Solution."

Full Upfront Testing for Methamphetamine Residue

2012-01-06T12:02:00.000-08:00

January 3^rd, 2012 - Donetta Held spoke at the Noble County Health Department. They listened intently as she explained why testing for meth is so important. If you want just a yes or no answer whether your property is contaminated, our meth test kit is an affordable way to get those results. You perform the test yourself and mail the sealed bottles overnight to a lab and within 3 to 5 days, you’ll know if your home is positive or negative for methamphetamine residue.

However, the meth test kit does not replace a full testing by a professional meth lab cleanup contractor, for the four reasons listed below:

1. Approximately twenty-five to thirty percent of the homes we test are below our state’s threshold limit. Since all the levels are below the state limit, no decontamination is necessary and we can issue a Certificate of Decontamination immediately.

2. If only parts of the structure are contaminated, therefore only those areas will require decontamination. Thus the decontamination costs will be greatly reduced.

3. By knowing how high the levels are in reach room, we are able to give an accurate quote for decontamination, or provide written instructions for the property owner to perform their own decontamination.

4. Full upfront testing can also save on the final clearance testing fees because only those areas that are contaminated above your state’s level, will need re-testing, thereby saving on the final clearance testing costs.

If you hire a meth lab cleanup contractor to do the testing of your property, be sure you understand what type of test they are performing. Is it a full test per your state’s regulations or just a composite test? While you may spend a little more money upfront on testing overall, you save greatly by reducing the decontamination and final clearance testing costs.

On average our full assessment testing fees are below $1000, for an average one bathroom, three bedroom ranch style home.

Customers may request a no obligation quote online and a written quote is emailed to them.

Crisis Cleaning has been doing meth lab cleanup since 2007 and is a trusted leader in their field.

Meth Labs Increasing in Motel/Hotel Rooms

2011-12-30T11:52:00.000-08:00

Methamphetamine use continues to rise and with it the need for decontamination of homes. Crisis Cleaning is the leading cleanup contractor in a multiple state area.

Recently meth manufacturers have gotten even trickier in their method of cooking meth. They check into a hotel or motel, manufacture their meth and check out. Often the management has no knowledge a meth lab was ever on their premises. So think of the people who check into that room from then on; they will be subjected to methamphetamine residue, which is harmful to their health. Meth residue hangs around for years. It must be decontaminated.

Crisis Cleaning uses a product called Crystal Clean that actually renders the meth chemicals inert or kills them. After police have removed the lab, Crisis Cleaning tests the home or motel/hotel room to find out how high the levels of meth are, and then clothed in personal protective gear, their certified technicians decontaminate the property. A post test is then performed to be sure the meth has been eliminated and the home or room is safe for human habitation.

It would be great if there were a meth test kit that gave immediate results, but presently no accurate one exists. Crisis Cleaning uses the best meth test kit available and tests an entire home by taking different test swabs in every room. Then those swabs are placed in a test tube, sealed securely and mailed overnight to a laboratory. Test results are often back within 3 to 7 days. This is great for the homeowner or landlord of a rental or even a motel/hotel manager, but not so much for a traveler who is checking into a motel/hotel room for the night.

Although there are rarely any signs to indicate a motel/hotel room has been used as a meth lab, here are a few tips:

Look for unusual stains, maybe red or purple in color.
Check for burn or drip marks on the wall.
Be sure your smoke detector hasn’t been deactivated or covered with duct tape.
If the meth lab was recent, there may be an unpleasant chemical odor.
Beware of lower end motels, they seem to be targets of meth manufacturers, but even up scale hotels are not off limits for a meth “cook.”
A final tip, if you know the area where you will be staying, you can check the address against the meth lab data base, but be aware, this is only the known meth labs, and even then all of them have not been recorded. http://www.justice.gov/dea/seizures/

Is there insurance coverage for meth lab cleanup?

2011-12-23T10:57:00.000-08:00

Most typical insurance policies will provide coverage for meth lab cleanup. When you call your agent to file a claim they may verbally tell you there is no coverage, but don't get mad or accept their quick denial over the phone. Instead, this is where you may need to educate yourself about the coverage that is available to you under your policy. Many times the insurance company will quickly deny your claim due to crime exclusions or no covered perils. Even if these are true, neither of these exhausts other coverage that is available in most typical insurance policies.

Typically, when the property owner was the one directly involved in cooking or smoking meth that has contaminated the dwelling, or the property owner had knowledge of another family member living in the dwelling who had an operational meth lab, the property owner's insurance policy is NOT going to cover any of the costs under property coverage; because the damage to the property was caused directly by the acts of the property owner or what the policy will list as "crime exclusion". In the case of rental property or residential property where the owner had no knowledge or direct involvement in the operational meth lab in their dwelling, there could be coverage available under the Property Coverage portion of their policy because for the "crime exclusion" to be used for denial of the claim, the property owner would have to have been directly involved in the operation of the illegal meth lab.

"Named Perils -vs- "Open Perils"

So you can better understand how typical insurance policies work, I am going to explain the difference between a "Named Perils" policy and an "Open Perils" policy. A peril, as referred to in an insurance policy, is a cause of loss, such as fire or theft. Coverage can be provided on an "all perils" basis, or a "named perils" basis. Named Perils policies list exactly what is covered by the policy, while Open Perils (or All Perils) policies will list what is excluded from coverage. Named Perils policies are generally more restrictive. A dwelling policy usually provides coverage for both the dwelling and contents on a named perils basis, while a homeowner's policy usually provides coverage for the dwelling on an all perils basis, and for the contents on a named perils basis.

"Vandalism" - Covered Peril

Vandalism is typically defined as when a person knowingly causes serious physical damage to a structure or its contents. Depending on the type of insurance policy you have on the dwelling, most policies usually cover vandalism. It will either be listed as a named peril or in an open perils policy it won't be listed as exclusion. You will need to read your policy or ask your insurance agent whom you purchased the policy from, if vandalism is covered. If you have coverage for vandalism, and depending on the circumstances involved in the illegal operational lab in the dwelling, your insurance company should pay for all of the pre and post testing, loss rent or use, cleaning costs as well as any necessary repairs following the completion of the decontamination process.

Rental Property and Vandalism

If you are a rental property owner and the tenant or anyone visiting the tenant was the one who without your knowledge had an operational meth lab in the dwelling that caused the damage to the property, I recommend filing a claim with your insurance company for vandalism. Remember the definition of vandalism - when a person knowingly causes physical damage to a structure or its contents. You need to firmly argue this point with the insurance company.
I would not specially list the claim as meth lab, but file the claim under vandalism or malicious mischief (as listed in some polices). The damage caused from the cooking of an illegal meth lab in your rental property has caused serious physical damage to your structure and contents (if it was a furnished apartment) making it uninhabitable.

"Smoke Damage" - covered peril

Smoke from a fire causes a film, soot or odor in the dwelling on the structure of the ceilings, walls and floors and the personal contents which are usually covered by a typical property insurance policy. The hazardous smoke and fumes from a cooking meth lab will leave a similar, although invisible residue in the structure and on the contents rendering them in need of decontamination or replacement as would be covered under smoke damage from a fire.
When our company in Indiana submits an estimate for testing and decontamination to our client's insurance company, I typically list the cause of loss as "vandalism/smoke damage".

Homeowners and Vandalism

When it's not a rental property, it is harder to prove vandalism. When the property owner has no knowledge of either a family member or any other person operating an illegal meth lab on the property, especially if it was being done while the property owner was gone from the dwelling, (such as vacation or extended period of time) this should still be covered under vandalism. It's the knowledge or involvement of the property owner, that determines if the damage is classified as vandalism or not.

Liability Coverage for meth labs

Let's say your policy doesn't have coverage for vandalism or smoke damage under the property coverage of your policy. Remember you also have "Liability Coverage" with your policy. Just because there might not be coverage under one area of your policy such as "Property Coverage" doesn't mean there isn't available coverage in the other areas of your insurance policy. For example: In January, 2010 our company had almost $15,000 stolen from our bank account while doing online banking through "key stroking." While that type of loss was listed as exclusion in our policy, we also had $10,000 stolen cash coverage in another section of our policy that paid us back $10,000 of the $15,000 we had stolen. Just because there might be an exclusion for coverage in one section of your policy, always consider looking for coverage in the other sections of your policy.

Pollution Exclusion Provision

Almost all insurance policies will have a "pollution exclusion" listed under the liability coverage section. Most coverage for meth lab cleanup is covered under the first party property damage such as the vandalism or smoke damage, as I mentioned above. However, if you don't have vandalism or smoke damage coverage under the property coverage section of your policy and you are fortunate enough to live in Indiana, you can then look to the liability coverage section of your policy. The insurance agent may tell you that you have a pollution exclusion and therefore, meth labs are not covered. This is not the case particularly in Indiana. An Indiana attorney interpreting your policy will explain that for a pollution exclusion to be valid, the exclusion listed in the policy must "clearly and unmistakably" bring the condition within its scope to be effective. It is very unusual for a policy to have a "clear and unmistakable" exclusion for methamphetamine laboratory damage. The pollution exclusion may be valid in other states, but not so in Indiana. However, even if the pollution exclusion is valid in other states, most property owners should still find coverage under vandalism or smoke damage under the first party property section of their policy. Although, as more and more insurance companies find themselves paying for damages as a result of meth labs, look for it to become more customary in the future.

Caution on time limits & notice

Suit Provisions in most insurance policies will give the policyholder one year from the date of loss to file a suit or claim. Date of loss typically is the date the meth lab was discovered or busted by the state or local law enforcement agency. You should get a written copy of the report from the local or state police agency who busted the meth lab which will have the date the meth lab was busted. You want to notify your insurance company of your claim as soon as you have received the letter from your local law enforcement agency or local health department. Typically, insurance companies will not reimburse the policyholder for any costs incurred or paid out before the date of notice was given to the insurance company. Therefore, before you hire a company to do any testing or decontamination work, you should provide notice of your claim to your insurance company first.

The Meth Solution

For complete details on insurance coverage for meth lab testing and cleanup, order the book "The Meth Solution," where in Chapter 3 Donetta J. Held interviewed attorney Tonya Bond of Plews Shadley Racher & Braun, who specializes in meth lab insurance coverage.

Are you living in a former meth lab home?

2011-12-16T11:46:00.000-08:00

Since World War II it is estimated there were over a million to a million and a half meth homes, most of which go undetected by law enforcement. Many clandestine meth labs are just that, i.e. secretly cooked and smoked in homes. National experts state over 12 million people have tried methamphetamine at one time or another and there are currently over 1.5 million active users. The DEA National Clandestine Laboratory Register, which lists by state the property addresses that have been seized by law enforcement for illegal manufacturing of drug labs, is voluntary and not actively updated. Therefore, just because a property address is not listed on DEA’s website, does not guarantee that the property has never been used to manufacture or smoke methamphetamine. Many of the properties that our company decontaminated were never listed on DEA’s website. There are also many clandestine meth labs that are never exposed by law enforcement, so as property owners move from different homes or apartments, the new occupant does not have a clue what contaminants are left in the home following the cooking or smoking of methamphetamine. The DEA’s registry doesn’t account for any undiscovered meth labs and many meth experts think it’s an underestimate. Professional meth lab cleanup contractors estimate that about 90 percent of meth houses are never uncovered. The DEA’s list can’t be relied upon because it’s completely voluntary and with the growing meth epidemic, record keeping is a horrific process.

Every House has a History Do You Know Yours?

Currently there are approximately only twenty states that have disclosure laws requiring sellers to disclose if the property they are selling has been a former meth lab home. Even if you live in a state with foreclosure laws, don’t automatically assume you are protected. There are also many homes that face foreclosure and they are not all from loss of jobs and inability to pay the mortgage. If a property owner is arrested by law enforcement for the illegal manufacturing of methamphetamines in their home, they are incarcerated and therefore, the bank forecloses on the property. If the property is in a state without disclosure laws, the bank could resell the home without decontaminating the property or disclosing the known history of the prior property owner’s illegal drug activities in that property. Over 75 percent of our decontamination projects are rental property and approximately 35 to 40 percent of Americans live in rental homes or apartments. Spring cleaning and a fresh coat of paint does not eliminate the hazards left in the rental property following the prior tenant’s illegal manufacturing or smoking of meth. Of the twenty states with disclosure laws they don’t apply to rental property. So many landlords aren’t going to disclose the history of the prior tenant’s activity. They want to re-rent the unit and if such information is disclosed, they are afraid it would keep the unit from being rented.

Think Meth Doesn’t Affect You, What About When You Travel?

Even if you are fortunate enough to live in a community where the illegal manufacturing or smoking of methamphetamine seems unheard of, have you ever stopped to consider the hotel room you stay in overnight on travel or vacation? About 35 to 40 percent of illegal drug lab busts are performed in hotel rooms. While the majority of busts in hotel rooms are located in your lower end or budget hotel rooms, recently there have been meth busts in higher end hotel rooms. “It’s a misconception that just because you’re staying in a nice place, you’re safe from the chemical hazards of a meth lab,” said Jesse Hambrick, Narcotics Agent for the Douglas County Police Force in Georgia when interviewed by ABC News. Another news article states that Michael Douglas’ son, Cameron Douglas, was facing additional drug charges following his July, 2009 arrest for selling methamphetamines from a high-end Manhattan New York hotel, so one can’t make the assumption that it’s only being manufactured or smoked in the low budget hotels.

American Homes Become an American Nightmare

Although meth houses are more concentrated in certain states, meth houses have been discovered in ALL fifty states. When many people think of a meth house they automatically assume these houses are crack houses. This is a gross misconception. There have been many high end value homes sold on the market that were former meth labs. Meth experts estimate that thousands to tens of thousands of people have discovered that what they thought was the American dream home is actually an American nightmare! Professional meth cleanup companies along with national and local health experts say it’s common for meth labs that haven’t been cleaned to test positive for residue no matter how long after police busts. It doesn’t just go away over time.

Meth Homes in the News

Listed below is a very small snapshot of actual news articles on how not knowing the history of a home can severely devastate one’s health and financial wellbeing.

Oct 17, 2011, New Zealand – A young woman suffers severe health issues about two months after moving into her new apartment. Later discovering the cause was from a neighbor conducting an operational lab next door to her apartment. When she moved out her health issues improved. http://methlabhomes.com/2011/10/nnew-zealand-renters-believe-health-problems-caused-by-neighbors-methlab

Oct 6, 2011, West Valley City, Utah – A young couple purchased a foreclosed home in August. A weekend away from moving in one of them developed upper respiratory problems. That’s when a neighbor warned them they should test the home for meth. The levels came back so high the Salt Lake Valley Health Department condemned the house. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705392036/New-home-becomes-nightmare-for-couple-when-health-officials-condemn-it-because-of-meth-levels.html

July 5, 2011, Dayton, Ohio – A couple with children purchased a home in Miami Valley only to find out that it had been a former meth lab. Ohio has no disclosure laws, but even if it had, many homeowners are not honestly answering that question on the real estate form.

http://www.whiotv.com/news/news/are-you-living-in-a-former-meth-house/nDLhD/

March 1, 2011 – Colorado Springs, CO – According to the State of Colorado, nearly 400 homes in Colorado Springs, El Paso and Teller counties remain unclean. That is just between 2001 and 2010. The meth disclosure law states that a seller must tell a buyer if a property was once a meth lab, but it references nothing about renters.

http://www.krdo.com/news/27040958/detail.html

June 10, 2010 – Cannon Falls, Minnesota – A couple unknowingly purchased a former meth lab home, unable to pay for decontamination, mortgage and rent to live somewhere else, the home was sold in a Sheriff’s sale.

http://methlabhomes.com/2010/06/minnesota-keller-meth-lab-home-sold-in-sheriffs-sale/

April 28, 2010 – Salt Lake City, Utah – Family purchases home and a few days after they moved in a neighbor welcomed them with disturbing news, “Your house used to be a meth lab.” This family is going into bankruptcy, as they can’t afford to clean up the house and they can’t sell it. http://www.onearth.org/blog/once-meth-labs-contaminated-homes-now-sicken-thousands

You are Just a Meth Test Kit Away from Knowing the History of Your Home

Many of the above actual stories of families’ unknowingly purchasing meth homes are surreal. While most average families can’t afford to hire a meth lab cleanup consultant or industrial hygienist to test a property for meth, there is a reliable in-home meth test kit that would accurately provide the important yes or no answer of methamphetamine contamination prior to purchase. Unfortunately, the home inspectors that everyone pays several hundreds of dollars for does not include testing the property for methamphetamine contamination. There is no building inspection let alone meth testing for rental property either. Before you make a major purchase, before you sign a one year lease agreement, the most important decision you can make is to test the property for meth. In comparison, the price of a meth test kit to a major purchase is mere petty cash.

Meth Test Kits

There are a variety of meth test kits on the market. Unfortunately, many of the instant meth test kits are sensitive and do not provide accurate results. Many are known to return false positive or negative readings. If you hire a professional meth lab cleanup contractor or Industrial Hygienist as required by most state guidelines, they use wipe samples wetted with alcohol or methanol prior to wiping the surface and are sent to a professional lab for analysis. Donetta Held, CEO of Crisis Cleaning, which is a premier biohazard decontamination company, is making the same test kits we use now available to the general public. Each kit comes with four (4) square cotton swabs pre-wetted with alcohol, one testing jar, four 100 square centimeter testing templates, two pairs of gloves and complete step-by-step instructions. Once you open up the four pre-wetted alcohol swabs and you wipe four different surface areas in your property, you place them inside the testing jar and mail it overnight to the independent lab in the USA at the address enclosed with the instructions. The professional lab will take your samples and not only give you a positive or negative reading, but will also tell you the level of any positive readings. The price of the meth test kit already includes the lab fee for analyzing the swabs for methamphetamine residue. You will receive a copy of the lab results by email within 48-72 hours of the lab receiving the test jars. Crisis Cleaning has had several different groups of people order our meth test kits, such as realtors, bankers, landlords and new property owners wanting to find out if their property is contaminated with meth.

Summarily, it is best to be prepared and test your new home BEFORE you buy. If through circumstances beyond your control, you find yourself with a meth contaminated property, the first of its kind book, The Meth Solution written by Donetta Held of Crisis Cleaning will lead you step-by-step through the decontamination process.