There are so many things for the average person to consider when buying a new home. You have to think about any property defects, the presence of asbestos and how it might affect your renovation plans, and mortgage interest rates.

However, one of the newer issues plaguing homebuyers is methamphetamine contamination. Many towns and cities across Aotearoa New Zealand are in the midst of a ‘meth crisis’, with tens of thousands of Kiwis now smoking methamphetamine, known as ‘meth’ or ‘P’. Unfortunately, many of these people smoke and produce this illegal and addictive substance in our homes, putting current and possibly future dwellers at risk of exposure.

Knowledge is power. By understanding methamphetamine contamination, including what it is and how it happens, you can be in an excellent position to make a well-informed purchasing decision.

What Is Methamphetamine Contamination?

Methamphetamine contamination describes the cooking or smoking of meth in a residential property, causing contamination to the home, furnishings, and personal possessions. The chances of buying a meth-contaminated property where someone has manufactured or smoked meth are low. However, the chances aren’t zero.

Therefore, it’s essential to understand what to look for and whether such a property is safe to live in. If you suspect a property you intend to buy or rent is meth-contaminated, don’t be afraid to perform a meth test.

If you’re buying a house, you might make a ‘safe’ level a condition of your sale and purchase agreement. If you’re renting a property, you might request a meth test before you move in. In 2023, the NZ government was considering implementing regulations surrounding testing rental properties.

As of 2023, the New Zealand Standards determined that a property testing at below 15 micrograms per 100cm2 is safe to inhabit.

How Does Meth Contamination Happen?

Most people consuming drugs of any kind likely don’t think about the effects their drug use has on the environment around them. They might assume they’re the only one being affected at the time. However, meth contamination can occur when anyone smokes or cooks meth in a property.

During the ‘cooking’ process, aerosols are released into the atmosphere. These aerosols and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can settle on surrounding surfaces like flooring, walls, and benchtops. Air and dermal transfer can then see them transported through other parts of a property.

Smoking meth can also cause the same residue contamination but at much lower levels. However, repeated smoking can result in higher levels.

Can You Tell If a Property Has Meth Contamination?

Just as you would perform an asbestos test to know if asbestos is present in your home, it pays to do the same regarding meth contamination. This is the only 100% guaranteed way to identify the presence of meth contamination and to know whether it’s at a ‘safe’ level or higher.

But that’s not to say you won’t have your suspicions. These suspicions might even be the reason you decided to request a meth test in the first place. If real estate agents are aware of contamination, they must tell you. There might even be records on file about contaminated property if it has formed part of a police investigation.

Legal files aside, you might become suspicious about possible meth contamination if you notice unusual chemical smells in the area, yellow and brown stains on surfaces, and stained glass cookware. Some potential homebuyers go as far as receiving information about houses from neighbours.

What Can You Do About Meth Contamination?

You know what methamphetamine contamination is and how it happens, but what can you do about it? The actions you take can depend on the severity of the contamination.

Some cases of contamination can be so severe that homeowners must perform full strip-outs of building materials like drywall and flooring to bring testing levels down to under 15 micrograms per 100cm2. Other properties are only mildly contaminated, with professional meth cleaning companies able to bring homes down to habitable levels through cleaning alone. You’ll be able to get an idea of what you potentially face after testing has been completed.

Can I Live In a Meth-Contaminated Home?

Whether or not you can live in a meth-contaminated home can depend on the contamination severity. As previously mentioned, the ‘safe’ level of contamination in New Zealand is under 15 micrograms per 100cm2.

Severe contamination can result in adverse health effects, such as:

• Breathing difficulties

• Nausea

• Skin, eye, and throat irritation

• A persistent cough

• Weight loss

• Sleeplessness

• Irritability

• Anxiety  

Homes with ‘unsafe’ levels of meth contamination are generally described as inhabitable. This means they must be decontaminated, often by professionals, to be deemed habitable once more.

Inquire About Meth Testing Today

As daunting as the prospect of meth contamination can be, you’re not on this journey alone. Reach out to a meth cleaning company like Chemcare to be fully informed about your options.