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IDEM > Environmental Cleanup > Drug Lab Cleanup Cleanup of Illegal Drug Labs

Table of Contents

Introduction

Drug lab fume hood (courtesy of Indiana State Police)

Clandestine drug labs are found throughout Indiana. They are found in homes, apartments, hotel and motel rooms, and mobile homes.

When they seize a drug lab, law enforcement agencies remove bulk chemicals and drug making equipment from the site. However, residual contamination often remains because the hazardous chemicals that are used when manufacturing these drugs can contaminate the property.

Without proper cleaning, the risk of exposure to potentially dangerous chemicals is likely. New occupants moving into former drug labs may be unaware of the contamination problem.

Illegal drug labs have become a growing problem in Indiana. In 1999, Indiana law enforcement agencies investigated 177 illegal drug labs. By 2010, that number rose to 1395.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has a list of addresses where law enforcement agencies have reported illegal drug labs.

Hazards and Health Effects

Illegal drug labs are extremely hazardous to occupants and neighbors. Persons who manufacture illegal drugs use a wide variety of hazardous materials. These chemicals can be spilled or deposited on floors, walls ceilings and furniture. While it is being manufactured, methamphetamine vapor condenses inside the property and on household goods. This can cause a variety of health problems, especially for children.

Safety for Property Owners

If you own, or represent the owner of, property that has been used as an illegal drug lab, do not enter the property until the local health department or a qualified inspector have determined it is safe to enter.

After the chemicals and equipment used in the lab have been removed, talk to your local health department to determine if the property is safe to inspect and what safety precautions you need to take.

How Indiana Responds to Illegal Drug Labs

  • When an illegal drug lab is discovered, it is reported to the local law enforcement agency.
  • In most cases, the Indiana State Police Methamphetamine Suppression Section terminates lab. They dismantle, remove and properly dispose of the lab contents. They are trained and equipped to safely enter and dismantle illegal drug labs. However, they do not remove residual contamination from the lab.
  • The Methamphetamine Suppression Section or other law enforcement agency that terminates the drug lab sends a written report to the local health department.
  • The Department of Child Services ensures that any children involved receive proper care under the Indiana Drug Endangered Children Response Protocol [PDF].
  • The local health department prohibits occupancy of the property until it has been properly cleaned and is no longer hazardous to occupy.
  • Property owners must clean up their own property before it is reoccupied or sold.
  • Qualified inspectors help property owners clean their property so it can be reoccupied or sold.

Indiana has Rules for Drug Lab Cleanup

Indiana's drug lab cleanup rules [PDF]:

  • Require persons who own property that was used for illegal drug manufacture to clean up the property before selling or reoccupying the property.
  • Set criteria for persons to become qualified to clean up these properties.
  • Set standards for cleanup and inspection of these properties.
  • Provide a certificate that shows the property has been properly cleaned up.

How to Clean Up Your Property

  • You may hire a an IDEM-certified qualified inspector to:
    • do an initial assessment of the property to find out how much cleanup is needed,
    • clean the property to meet Indiana standards, or help you hire a cleanup contractor and supervise the cleanup,
    • test the property when the cleanup is complete, and,
    • if the final decontamination levels have level has been met, issue you a certificate showing the cleanup was done properly.
  • You may remove all potentially contaminated material from the property and have a qualified inspector document the removal.
  • You may demolish the property.

You and the qualified inspector can work together to find the most cost-effective way to clean up your property.

How to Find a Qualified Inspector

Use the Qualified Inspector List to find an inspector. Each inspector on the list has met all to be a qualified inspector.

Disposal

In most cases, these wastes can be disposed of in a permitted municipal solid waste landfill [PDF]. Contact IDEM by phone at (800) 451-6027 or via email at "info at idem.in.gov" if you have questions about disposing of wastes from illegal drug labs.

Are Children Involved?

The Indiana Department of Child Services and other Indiana agencies have developed procedures [PDF] to deal with children who are affected by an illegal drug lab. If children have been affected by an illegal drug lab, contact the Department of Child Services office in your county or city.

Links to external resources are provided as a public service and do not imply endorsement by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

Contact Us:

Contact IDEM for more information about this section by phone at 800-451-6027 or by email at info at idem.IN.gov

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