Encapsulation for Methamphetamine Remediation
Encapsulation for methamphetamine is a technique that is part of the remediators arsenal when dealing with contamination that is difficult to remediate to below 0.5 micrograms (µg) per 100cm². The Australian Clandestine Remediation Guidelines found HERE steps through the remediation techniques in a hierarchical approach. One of the objectives when remediating a property is not to over-remediate and cause unnecessary financial loss to the owner of a property, so taking a hierarchical approach is responsible as you step through the tools for remediating a contaminated property. Following any other advice that is not inline with Government guidelines and causes unnecessary loss opens up the remediator for law suits under the Consumer ACT 2010.
The methods of remediation listed in the Government guidelines in a hierarchical approach is ventilation, vacuuming of all surfaces, steam cleaning and high pressure cleaning, detergent washing of surfaces, neutralization of surfaces with weak acids and bases, removal of fixtures, carpets, sealing of surfaces ( encapsulation), stripping of wall linings (if necessary) and demolition. If we were to take a hierarchical approach with the above listed methods of remediation, the list would look like the above picture:
The above hierarchical approach is listed in the guidelines for dealing with contamination caused by manufacture i.e. Clan Labs. There are different Government guidelines for dealing with contamination caused by recreational use (smoking). Contamination caused from smoking methamphetamine is of much lower risk (enhealth 2017) and because of this following the appropriate Government guidelines would make remediation less intensive and therefore cost less for the consumer.
Methamphetamine Encapsulation Method
Encapsulation should be used as a method if cleaning does not sufficiently lower the contamination to below 0.5 micrograms (µg) per 100cm² and if cheaper for the consumer. For contamination caused from smoking encapsulation of methamphetamine should always be used prior to any stripping out of wall or ceiling linings as part of an hierarchical approach to remediation. In Australia the ACCC protects the consumer from Companies performing works that create unjustified costs and financial losses. Longitudal study results by Serrano , Martyn , Kofford , Contreras, Van Dyke (2012) showed proper encapsulation of plasterboard and plywood will result in the contamination being undetectable and will not resurface therefore creating an effective barrier. As it becomes known that removing plasterboard is therefore unnecessary law suits to recover losses will become the norm if the remediator follows alternative advise to Government. We know from our own ongoing longitudal research with QAEHS and well documented independent research that methamphetamine encapsulation works and that Government got it right with the hierarchical approach that is outlined in the Australian Guidelines. Book into our science researched based remediation course to learn more about Remediation Techniques as per Government sanctioned guidelines and backed by research studies.
