EPA Provides Best Practices for Meth Lab Cleanup
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a document providing state and local governments with technical guidance for methamphetamine lab cleanups. The document, "Voluntary Guidelines for Methamphetamine Laboratory Cleanup," is based on an extensive review of the best available science and practices for cleanup. Other issues included are best practices for specific items or materials, sampling procedures, and technical resources.
The production and use of meth across the United States continues to pose considerable challenges. Although there is a decline in the domestic production of methamphetamine in recent years, vigilance is warranted because of its destructive nature and the environmental hazards caused by labs.
The Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2007 required EPA to develop these guidelines, based on the best currently available knowledge in the field of meth lab remediation. The agency reviewed state guidance and regulations to develop these voluntary guidelines. In addition, this document has received extensive review and refinement from a broad array of stakeholders as well as feedback from nationally recognized experts in meth lab remediation.