METHFACT SHEET

WHAT IS METH?

Methamphetamine (P, ice, meth or crystal

meth) is a highly addictive stimulant drug

that affects the central nervous system. It is

a white, odourless, bitter tasting, crystalline

powder that is produced by cooking

chemicals in a “clan lab”.

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WHAT IS A CLAN LAB?A clan (clandestine) lab is a makeshift laboratory for the manufacture of illicit

drugs. The most common drug produced in clan labs is P/meth/ice. Clan labs can

be easily set up in a residential property, commercial property or motel unit, and

only require access to running water and a power source.

It is estimated that a clan lab producing one kilogram of P/meth/ice creates

seven kilograms of toxic by-product (P/meth/ice pollution), contaminating the

property with residue containing carcinogens.

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WHAT ARE THE HEALTH RISKS?

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TOXIC VAPOUR.

Exposure to P/meth/ice residues

can create significant short

and long-term health risks.

Meth’s toxic vapours permeate

the property surfaces and those

exposed to these surfaces can

ingest the contaminants.

Babies and small children

exposed to the toxic by-products

tend to suffer a higher degree

of health issues. The safety of

you, your family or your clients

is paramount.

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ADDRESSING THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM.

Save yourself a whole lot of heartache.

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At least five samples should be

taken inside the building

Any room inhabited by a child

under the age of 16 years should

be sampled at least once

Sampling may be achieved

through the collection of wipe

or swab samples of 100cm2 areas

of non-porous surfaces such as

mirrors, benchtops, painted walls

and metal surfaces

If the suspected drug

being manufactured is

methylamphetamine, its

concentration should not

exceed 0.5 g/100cm2

In 2011, the Australian Government created the Clandestine Drug Laboratory Remediation Guidelines.

Within these guidelines is a chapter on “Site Assessment and Remediation”.

Some of the main points within this include:

Are there any guidelines relating to meth in properties?

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PEACE OF MIND

WHEN YOU

NEED IT.

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PRE-PURCHASE: To identify if the property contains

P/meth/ice contamination before

you purchase

PRE/POST-OCCUPANCY: To provide a clear baseline

prior to a tenant moving in or out

of your property

MID-OCCUPANCY: To ensure your property doesn’t

become affected by meth

contamination during the tenancy

CUSTOMISED: To suit the client’s needs (including

vehicles, caravans, individual

rooms etc)

A property methamphetamine test can provide valuable baseline information for a number of circumstances

including due diligence; bank and/or insurance requirements.

When should I get a property tested?

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HOW CAN TDDA ASSIST YOU?Not all property meth testing is created equal. The Drug Detection Agency’s

(TDDA) property methamphetamine inspection services are designed to ensure

the best information is available when needed.

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Testing OptionsCan Detect

Meth

Can Detect Meth to Low

Levels

Wipe Method Compliant

Remediation Guidelines Compliant

Service Offered by TDDA

On-site Kits

Field Composite (Indicative Wipe)

Lab Composite Analysis

Lab Individual Swab Analysis

Testing Options

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TIER 1:

• Is compliant with the Remediation guidelines

(if five or more samples are collected)

• Is compliant with the wipe collection method

• Has analysis carried out by an accredited lab

• Provides the best information for each individual

site swabbed

• Provides a result that can be compared with

the Remediation guideline limit

• Can report on very low levels of meth present

• Individual swabs are collected from specific,

identified areas within the property and sent

to an accredited lab

• Each swab is individually analysed by the lab.

The reported results are for each individual

swab, providing the highest level of information

to the client

This service provides the most complete information on meth contamination levels of the areas swabbed within a property. This method:

Lab Individual Swab Analysis

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TIER 2:

• Is compliant with the Remediation guidelines

(if five or more samples are collected)

• Is compliant with wipe collection method

• Has analysis carried out by an accredited lab

• Provides a result that can be compared with

the Remediation guideline limit

• Individual swabs are collected from specific,

identified areas within the property and sent

to an accredited lab

• Can report on very low levels of meth present

• The lab combines the swabs to create a

composite analysis. This analysis represents an

average concentration of methamphetamine

• If the result does indicate a positive analysis, TDDA

can then arrange Lab Individual Swab Analysis at

your request

This service provides an average concentration reading of meth of the areas swabbed within a property. This method:

Lab Composite Analysis

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When you deal with TDDA you

can be confident you are

getting services that offer true

national coverage, superior

methodology, knowledgeable

people who genuinely care

about what they do and

internationally recognised

standards of quality. TDDA hold

accreditations for drug testing in

both New Zealand and Australia

and apply the same high level of

service and expertise to their

property methamphetamine

inspection services.

WHY USE TDDA?

When it comes to drugs – TDDA are the experts

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Contact TDDA today to discuss a service that best suits your needs.

www.tdda.com | 1300 4 DETECTION

Download TDDA’s smartphone family & property drug awareness app by searching “The Drug Detection App Family/Property” on your app store today