When Home Sweet Home Was a Meth Den
A couple of years ago, friends of ours bought a fixer-up in San Francisco. Nice place, lots of potential. Just one problem: It turned out that the former occupant was a methamphetamine dealer.
That detail should have been included in the disclosure documents they received prior to the purchase, but caveat emptor and all of that. Not that our friends were overly concerned - that is until they read the New York Times and learned about the health risks they potentially faced. The chemicals used in the production of meth can contain acetone, which is the
active ingredient in nail polish remover, as well as phosphine, a
popular insecticide.
The Times pointed out that meth "can permeate drywall, carpets, insulation and air ducts, causing respiratory ailments and other health problems." It also quoted experts to the effect that living in a former meth house puts children at greater risk of developing learning disabilities or long-term respiratory and skin problems. And the risk wasn't limited to kids. A 2007 study in Denver found that more than 70 percent of the police who were called in to inspect meth labs later reported health problems.
Now, Discover Magazine has published a must-read update on the extent of the problem - and it makes for a sobering read. Especially the conclusion:With so many homes potentially contaminated by methamphetamine production, meth experts estimate that thousands to tens of thousands of people have discovered that what they thought was the American dream--a nice home for the family--is actually an American nightmare, and the potential cause of a range of health problems and a stack of medical bills.