Clandestine drug properties

Clandestine drug lab or Methamphetamine (meth) lab clean-up poses huge health risks to any person exposed to this environment.

Clan lab and Methamphetamine (meth) lab clean-up

A “clan lab” is short for clandestine drug lab. The word clandestine means done in secret, most likely to conceal an illicit or improper act.

A “meth lab” refers to a laboratory being used to produce methamphetamine. “Clan lab” can refer to a lab producing any illegal substance.

It is important to note that any property where heavy usage of drugs have occurred, high levels of contamination will be present. Decontaminating a “drug user” property is therefore as dangerous as a clandestine drug lab.

Clandestine drug lab or Methamphetamine (meth) lab clean-up is extremely dangerous to perform, as it poses huge health risks to any person exposed to this environment. The poisonous chemicals used to make these drugs leave a toxic residue that coats and contaminates all surfaces, ventilation systems, furnishings and drains. It is also present in the air, and most of these poisonous substances can be absorbed through the skin.

Exposure to Illegal drug labs can cause birth defects, reproductive disorders, lung disease, liver and kidney damage and blindness, the property will remain toxic indefinitely, unless it is completely decontaminated. A property previously containing such a drug lab can make its occupants sick for up to 10 years after the lab is removed.

The Allgon Decontamination technicians will safely decontaminate the property, transport and dispose of any contaminated furniture, cabinetry, fixtures and carpeting and provide independent environmental testing reports for the decontaminated premises.

Our specialised services also include drug site assessments, where we inspect the site and safely remove any sharps or hidden sharps, utensils and other drug paraphernalia.

Clandestine Laboratory Site Remediation Process Guidelines

The official clandestine laboratory site remediation involves the following four phases:

1 – Trigger for assessment

Law enforcement agencies from all jurisdictions within Australia encounter clandestine laboratories. These may be either operating at the time of police interdiction or have previously operated in that location.

Once the laboratory site has been rendered safe and processed for evidentiary purposes, the appropriate authority within that jurisdiction is notified of the existence of the site.

Information is provided outlining the nature of the suspected illicit manufacturing activity and the identity of chemicals detected on the site.

2 – Preliminary assessment and action

Upon receipt of the notification of a clandestine laboratory, a preliminary assessment is conducted to determine whether further action is required.

If so, the property is declared to be ‘potentially contaminated’ or unfit for habitation.

3 – Site assessment and remediation

If community health is at risk, the appropriate authority will issue a pollution control or environmental order against the property. These investigations will determine if the property poses a risk to human or environmental health.

The authority then issues an order to provide a contamination report, which involves the completion of a site assessment checklist and investigation and includes a laboratory analysis.

If contamination is confirmed by the site assessment, a Remediation Action Plan (RAP) is devised, and the responsible authority initiates remediation.

On completion of remediation activity, a site validation report is prepared.

4 – Validation

Following the site assessment and remediation phase, a site validation report is prepared. The appropriate authority reviews the report and audit checklist, and then issues a site clearance on acceptance of final validation report.