It’s likely you’ve seen a story on a local Richmond newscast about the discovery of a meth lab and how a large area, perhaps an entire neighborhood, was evacuated and cordoned off by police tape. If you’ve ever wondered why such extreme precautions were taken, the answer is that every pound of methamphetamine made in these makeshift labs produces more than five pounds of highly dangerous and toxic waste. Should you ever find yourself in the distressing circumstances of owning a property where meth was produced, you should never endanger yourself or others by attempting to clean up a meth lab on your own. To ensure everyone’s safety, call the Richmond meth lab cleanup experts at Advanced Bio Treatment.
Why meth labs are dangerous
Chemical makeup: Methamphetamine is made from dozens of other products, almost all of which are dangerous in and of themselves. Just some of the products that may be used and the toxic chemicals they contain include drain cleaner (sulfuric acid), batteries (lithium), hydrochloric acid, brake fluid (toluene), nail polish remover or paint thinner (acetone), fertilizer or cleaners (anhydrous ammonia), and many more. When combined, some ingredients form new chemical compounds that are even more hazardous.
Health threats: At a minimum, exposure to the chemicals or by-products in a meth lab can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness and, according to the National Institutes of Health, damage the respiratory tract, mucous membranes, eyes, and skin. At worst, exposure can result in chemical burns, blindness, liver damage, kidney failure, and birth defects.
Contamination reach and persistence: Once a meth lab is shut down—and even after law enforcement has removed equipment and meth ingredients—the threat to health can remain. When meth is “cooked,” the compounds formed disperse, lingering in the air and on surfaces. Entire structures and their systems can be contaminated, including HVAC systems, well water, plumbing equipment, and septic systems. Materials such as flooring, drywall and wood is likely to be contaminated as well. Even the soil in the surrounding yard may not be safe.
How Advanced Bio Treatment can help
According to the EPA’s guidelines for meth lab cleanup, a structure that contained a meth lab should not be occupied until after remediation has been completed. The guidelines also recommend hiring a contractor who has hazardous waste cleanup expertise to conduct cleanup operations.
At Advanced Bio Treatment, our expert meth lab cleanup technicians strictly follow the EPA guidelines as well as OSHA, state, and federal guidelines. Our meth lab cleanup services include these tasks and many more:
- Securing the property until cleanup is complete
- Properly ventilating the structure before, during, and after the cleanup
- Identifying contaminated areas
- Determining the proper cleaning chemicals to use based on the cooking method
- Properly handling and removing contaminated items and hazardous waste
- Cleaning all contaminated materials, surfaces, and systems, including plumbing and HVAC
To ensure your safety and protect future occupants of your property, call on the experienced Richmond meth lab cleanup teams at Advanced Bio Treatment. A live operator is standing by 24 hours a day, every day of the year to take your call.
