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In February of 2009, an article published in the Dallas Morning News told the story of a north Texas family that became unwitting victims of the illegal drug trade. The Rodgriquez family purchased a home in Grapevine that had previously been in foreclosure and promptly moved in with their three children. But it soon became apparent that something was wrong. As the article states, soon after they moved into their new home, the family's dog began experiencing seizures and ultimately had to be euthanized. Subsequent tests of the home revealed that several rooms and the attic were contaminated with traces of methamphetamine.

Methamphetamine contamination is more common than you might think; and the problem is not limited to houses. Vehicles, hotel rooms, apartments and storage units are frequently used to manufacture methamphetamine, creating health hazards for unsuspecting future inhabitants.

Although meth is made from legally available, relatively common household substances, the manufacturing or "cooking" process releases highly toxic fumes and residues. Acute exposure to these contaminants, such as police officers encounter when they first enter a meth lab, can result in burns to the skin and severe lung damage. Longer term exposure to even small amounts of these contaminants can cause breathing problems, eye irritation, skin irritation, nausea, dizziness and headaches.

Once a meth lab has been dismantled, many of these contaminants remain-on walls, in carpets and in ventilation systems. And meth doesn't have to have been manufactured in a home for the home to become contaminated. Heavy meth use by previous residents can also leave behind traces of the toxic substance, exposing future inhabitants to health risks from exposure.

Although laws in many states require sellers or their agents to disclose any known use or manufacture of meth within a home, the activity often goes unreported. When the presence of meth is suspected, or a homeowner is concerned about the activities of a home's previous occupants (as in a foreclosure scenario), the home may be tested for the presence of meth-related toxins.

If chemical residue related to the manufacture or use of methamphetamine is detected, extensive and specialized clean-up is necessary. It is recommended that the property be thoroughly aired out-for several days at a time-and cleaned by a company specializing in hazardous materials removal. Ventilation systems should be cleaned and all filters replaced. If visible staining or odors are present in carpets, drapes and other soft surfaces, replacement may be necessary. If not, all soft surfaces should be cleaned thoroughly to remove any dusts, powders and vapors from the materials used in meth manufacture. In most cases, walls and ceilings will need to be cleaned, and a new coat of paint applied to create a barrier between any residual contaminant and the air inside the home.

Because it is certainly better to be safe than sorry when it comes to potential health hazards in the home, re-testing for meth-related residues is recommended after a thorough cleaning has been completed.