Besides only the state would make sure that the cleanup was done correctly. It's the same procedure as any other site where you have a bunch of unknown chemicals, said Alderson. Though contamination is not usually found in the building materials or groundwater, chemicals left on the site can cause problems for everyone who visits there after a cook, Burgess said. The actual meth does not cause problems unless the victim ingests it. Some of the irritation can be caused when chemical residue becomes airborne, during vacuuming, for instance.
Sites vary from rental property to vans to state forest lands.
The owner is technically responsible for the cleanup, but is rarely charged for the costs, Manning said. Unless we can prove the owner knew about the lab, we don't charge them. The state just ends up paying the bill. Similarly, property owners cannot be prosecuted on criminal charges unless they know that meth is being cooked on their property. The cooks themselves are the most apt to be hurt by environmental contamination.