Meth Lab Signs - Was Your Home a Meth Lab?
Meth Production or Meth Use Contamination in Homes
You can seldom see meth residue contamination. You may see nicotine stains or filth on walls, but a visual assessment of a property for methamphetamine contamination is deceptive. Meth Lab Cleanup Company technicians have decades of experience assessing and sampling properties;sometimes the residences filled with debris and dirt test negative for meth residue; sometimes the cleanest, most expensive properties are extremely "hot". You cannot tell by looking. Several of the pictures below may indiate signs of production, but as you can see in the two photos of sampling templates, areas may not show visual staining. The laboratory results indicated that these areas were contaminated.
- Meth contamination does not go away with time. Meth Lab Cleanup has tested properties uninhabited for years that remain contaminated from a prior event.
- Products that "neutralize" methamphetamine contamination may leave more harmful chemicals behind and may cause corrosion.
- Meth contamination exposure symptoms are identified on this helpful page.
- Meth is a marker for levels of contamination. The meth residue levels can represent either meth use or meth production. Analysis of the levels of meth residue can help determine if a property was used for meth production or for meth use.
- Meth contamination levels legally set by regulated states are listed here.
- THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW FOR SURE IF A PROPERTY IS CONTAMINATED BY METH USE OR METH PRODUCTION IS TO TEST. Buy reliable, validated kits here.
HOW TO TELL IF METH WAS MADE IN A HOUSE / WHAT DOES METH CONTAMINATION LOOK LIKE?
-
Are Security Cameras and Locks Indicators?
Excessive locks on both interior and exterior doors and exterior cameras are often evident; cameras may or may not be functioning. -
What Do Meth Production Effluent Stains Look Like?
Red phosphorous staining can be seen on toilets, sinks, bath and/or showers. -
What are Meth Production Materials?
Evidence of methamphetamine production consists of stained coffee filters, glass containers and hazardous chemicals -
What does Meth Residue Look Like?
Sample taken in cold air return of heat vent; analyzed 64x the legal limit. No notable stains within the residence. -
What does Meth Contamination Look Like?
Sample taken on floor; analyzed 1,135x the legal limit. Notice floor shine. No visual residue. -
Is Graffiti an Indicator of a Meth House?
Graffiti on walls, floors and ceilings is common in meth production interiors -
Does Meth Production Cause Fires?
Meth cooks often lose control of their concoctions. But, most clandestine drug lab houses are not this obvious -
What Does Meth Smell Like?
Make-shift venting apparatus. Meth production leaves a sweet, heavy chemical smell (acetone, camp fuel, ammonia); meth use is much the same but more subtle.
Clandestine Drug Laboratory - Signs of Activity
There are several indicators of methamphetamine production. Alone, these activities or clandestine drug lab signs may not mean that illegal drug lab activity is occurring. However, some or several of them happening together may indicate a problem. Reliable test kits for meth labs are available
- Strong chemical odor coming from house, garbage or detached building.
- Visitors come and go throughout the day and night and stay for short periods of time.
- Extra efforts to cover windows or have extensive security, such as reinforced doors.
- Deterioration of property and excessive amounts of trash, such as large amounts of antifreeze, drain cleaner and glass containers.
- Appear to have plenty of money but don't seem to go to work - drive expensive cars, pay rent or bills with cash.
- Never take trash out to be collected or put garbage in another neighbors collection area.
- Residents come outside to smoke cigarettes.
- Children and pets of the home appear to be neglected.
- Residents act unfriendly, paranoid or appear secretive about their activities.
