Meth Fumes from the Neighbor
I have had many calls asking if it is possible for meth fumes to invade an apartment or even a neighboring house. One caller claimed that her car windshield parked between her house and a neighbor’s house that strange smells emanated from tested positive for meth residue. Many callers report sickness and even trips to the emergency room. Most suspect the neighbor is smoking meth.
Some people believe that if meth is only smoked and not made in living space that it’s not dangerous to health. New Zealand has even declared that meth residue is no more dangerous than residue left by smoking cigarettes based on a study commissioned save money on remediating contaminated government housing. Here’s a story about homes contaminated by a caregiver smoking meth. Real people, in real life situations, report many adverse health effects from being exposed to meth contamination.
Callers often express frustration because they can’t get their landlords or the local police to do anything. They often feel desperate. Failing health and difficulty thinking sometimes leave them fearful. Police are sometimes reluctant to get involved in meth properties because of the extreme cost involved. When they enter a known meth house they dress in hazmat suits. They obviously think meth residue is dangerous to their health. Putting yourself and your department in physical and financial danger probably requires more evidence than a no danger situation. Police departments also tend to focus resources on larger drug crimes. It would likely be impossible to investigate, arrest and prosecute every meth smoker in the country.
Landlords can be faced with huge expenses to remediate meth. A single bedroom apartment might cost $20,000 to clean and adjacent apartments are often contaminated.
Some apartments are built with units connected to those above and below by a common air system. If meth is smoked in one unit, all units are likely contaminated as well as the air ducts that connect the apartments. Some apartments have been contaminated through the hallway accessing the various units. Air commonly leaks from one apartment to another through gaps in walls through trim and electrical boxes. When meth contamination is found, the property must be remediated. It can be tempting to just not test.
It can be difficult to find help when you and your family are sick, irritable and exhausted and you believe the cause is the fumes from a neighbor. You may be lucky and get help from your renter’s insurance. You may get help from your local health department. It’s more likely if you’re disabled. You may even find help from your local investigative news reporter. From what the callers tell me, it’s very hard to find anyone to help.
Some people believe that if meth is only smoked and not made in living space that it’s not dangerous to health. New Zealand has even declared that meth residue is no more dangerous than residue left by smoking cigarettes based on a study commissioned save money on remediating contaminated government housing. Here’s a story about homes contaminated by a caregiver smoking meth. Real people, in real life situations, report many adverse health effects from being exposed to meth contamination.
Callers often express frustration because they can’t get their landlords or the local police to do anything. They often feel desperate. Failing health and difficulty thinking sometimes leave them fearful. Police are sometimes reluctant to get involved in meth properties because of the extreme cost involved. When they enter a known meth house they dress in hazmat suits. They obviously think meth residue is dangerous to their health. Putting yourself and your department in physical and financial danger probably requires more evidence than a no danger situation. Police departments also tend to focus resources on larger drug crimes. It would likely be impossible to investigate, arrest and prosecute every meth smoker in the country.
Landlords can be faced with huge expenses to remediate meth. A single bedroom apartment might cost $20,000 to clean and adjacent apartments are often contaminated.
Some apartments are built with units connected to those above and below by a common air system. If meth is smoked in one unit, all units are likely contaminated as well as the air ducts that connect the apartments. Some apartments have been contaminated through the hallway accessing the various units. Air commonly leaks from one apartment to another through gaps in walls through trim and electrical boxes. When meth contamination is found, the property must be remediated. It can be tempting to just not test.
It can be difficult to find help when you and your family are sick, irritable and exhausted and you believe the cause is the fumes from a neighbor. You may be lucky and get help from your renter’s insurance. You may get help from your local health department. It’s more likely if you’re disabled. You may even find help from your local investigative news reporter. From what the callers tell me, it’s very hard to find anyone to help.
