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1. What is Methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine, commonly called “meth,” is a powerful, highly addictive and illicit drug that stimulates the brain’s reward center.  Meth can be used by smoking, swallowing, snorting, or injecting and personal use of meth, though illegal, is prevalent throughout the United States and Colorado.  

2. Where does meth come from?

Methamphetamine is often manufactured or “cooked” in unsophisticated, secret home “laboratories” by persons with no chemistry background. Meth is also manufactured in large quantities outside the United States and illegally smuggled into the country. 

3. Is manufacturing meth dangerous?

Yes, the chemicals used to produce methamphetamine are toxic and extremely hazardous. Inhaling, ingesting, or contacting the chemicals used to manufacture meth can result in poisoning, illness or death. Also, some of the chemicals used to manufacture meth are highly volatile and may ignite or explode if mixed or stored improperly.  

4. When is a surface considered contaminated with meth?

Per the Colorado Regulations, a surface is considered contaminated when a certified sample returns a result measuring 0.5 ug/100cm² or higher.  

5. If I suspect meth use in my building, am I required to test?

No, if you simply suspect that methamphetamine has been used in your facility, the regulation does not require you to perform testing.

6. When am I required to test for meth?

The regulation requires that you test for methamphetamine when any one or more of the following three situations exist:

1. Results collected by a certified consultant are positive,
2. A law enforcement bust involving meth occurs at the property, or
3. Documented evidence is provided confirming meth has been used, stored, processed, or manufactured within the property

7. Can I sample my building myself using an at-home purchased test kit?

No, if sampling is required, “do-it-yourself” sampling is not allowed by Colorado Law. Instead, a certified contractor must be hired to perform the sampling work. 

8. The regulations require extensive testing. Does this apply to me?

The regulations were adopted with residential properties in mind. Applying the same regulations to large public or commercial buildings, particularly where testing requirements are concerned, can be onerous and costly. When testing is required, Colorado law allows larger commercial building to apply for a testing variance by submitting a request to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). 

9. If I receive positive test samples, what do I need to do?

Per the Colorado Regulations, any surface known to be contaminated with meth must be properly decontaminated by a certified contractor. The contractor will perform decontamination and then conduct “clearance” testing.  A certified sample with a result of less than 0.5 ug/100cm² indicates a surface is no longer considered contaminated.  

10. Can I clean up meth contamination myself or require my employees to clean it?

No, special training and personal protective equipment is required to perform decontamination and surfaces know to be affected by meth must be decontaminated by Colorado certified decontamination experts.

11. What is secondary exposure to meth and is it dangerous?

Breathing air or touching surfaces contaminated with methamphetamine residue is considered a secondary exposure.  The risks associated with secondary exposure to meth have not been well studied and limited information is available.   However, in large public or commercial buildings, the public health risk associated with secondary exposure to meth is considered low. In these settings, the risk is considered low because the established contamination limit is very conservative and exposure times are likely to be short. 

12. Should I test my building for meth just out of curiosity?

Because of the low risk to the public in large public or commercial buildings, Arapahoe County Public Health recommends against testing out of curiosity in these settings.

If you are considering testing for methamphetamine in a public place, even if you have not met the criteria to do so:

• Research how a positive testing result could impact your business.
• Have a plan in place ahead of time for how you will handle additional testing, possible remediation, and the financial and social impacts of closing affected areas to the public.