Methamphetamine is an addictive synthetic drug, one that can be smoked, swallowed, snorted or injected. The drug comes as a pill or a powder, though crystal meth looks like glass or shiny blueish white rocks. Meth is a highly addictive drug that is easy to make from common household chemicals. If meth has been cooked or smoked inside a structure, it leaves behind an invisible hazard of chemicals saturating carpets, clothes, furniture, personal possessions, wood, sheet rock, plaster, concrete, porous fiber board and systems. This makes it unsafe for occupants.
Testing for Meth
The toxic waste from the production or smoking of meth can cause health issues including respiratory (breathing) problems, skin and eye irritation, headaches, nausea, and dizziness. Meth is a dangerous toxin and the clean-up can be very expensive. The Utah Department of Health recommends testing for meth before all property purchases. You can test for meth with your home inspection. Results typically available in a week (can be rushed).
Meth Remediation
Houses with meth contamination can be cleaned. However, if the house tests over a certain threshold, it is required that you hire a state certified meth cleaning specialist. Normally that cleaning includes replacing all soft surfaces like carpet, drapes and furniture, cleaning all hard surfaces such as walls and ceilings, and replacing or thoroughly cleaning the HVAC ducts and vents.
More info
from the EPA
from the Utah Department of Health
from the Salt Lake County Health Department