Methamphetamine residue dermal transfer efficiencies from household surfaces.

Methamphetamine contamination from illegal production operations poses a potential health concern for emergency responders, child protective services, law enforcement, and children living in contaminated structures. The objective of this study was to evaluate dermal transfer efficiencies of methamphetamine from contaminated household surfaces. These transfer efficiencies are lacking for methamphetamine, and would be beneficial for use in exposure models.

Potential exposures associated with indoor marijuana growing operations.

We entered a total of 30 indoor marijuana grow operations (IMGO) with law enforcement investigators in order to determine potential exposures to first responders. Samples for airborne fungal spores, volatile organic compounds, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were obtained as well as the identification of chemicals utilized in the IMGO. The chemicals utilized within the IMGOs were primarily pesticides and fertilizers with none showing high toxicity.

Decontamination of clothing and building materials associated with the clandestine production of methamphetamine.

This study was designed to determine how easily methamphetamine can be removed from clothing and building materials, utilizing different cleaning materials and methods. The study also addressed the penetration of methamphetamine into drywall and the ability of paints to encapsulate the methamphetamine on drywall. Clothing and building materials were contaminated in a stainless steel chamber by aerosolizing methamphetamine in a beaker heater.

Efficacy of occupant-collected dust samples in the evaluation of residential allergen and fungal levels.

This study evaluated the ability of a resident to evaluate their home for allergens and mold using a settled dust test kit compared with evaluation and collection of settled dust by an industrial hygienist. Forty-three home residents were provided with a kit containing written instructions and a vacuum cleaner attachment for collecting a settled dust sample. Within 2 weeks of receiving the occupant-collected sample, an industrial hygienist evaluated these homes, including a visual inspection, collection of settled dust, and collection of spore trap samples.

Variability and specificity associated with environmental methamphetamine sampling and analysis.

This study was designed to explore the efficacy of the use of wipe sampling to determine methamphetamine contamination associated with the clandestine manufacture of methamphetamine. Three laboratories were utilized to analyze wipe samples to investigate variability in reported methamphetamine concentration among samples spiked with known amounts of methamphetamine. Different sampling media, surfaces, and solvents were also utilized to determine potential differences in measured methamphetamine concentration due to different wipes, wipe solvents, and wipe contaminants.