Varying Council Requirements – Contamination Levels

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Active Testing Solutions is committed to providing “Gold Standard” service to our customers and this includes complying with council requirements for acceptable levels of methamphetamine contamination. Interestingly, we have found that councils may have a differing view as to what levels are acceptable.

Although most councils are adhering to the ministry recommendations, some have different acceptable levels.

You can be assured that Active Testing Solutions will inform you of your local area responsibilities.

Listed is information about Tauranga, Rotorua, Waikato, Auckland and Christchurch council acceptable limits. Please contact Active Testing Solutions or your local council for further information.

Tauranga City Council

Clandestine drug laboratories

Contamination should not exceed 0.5ug/100cm2 for buildings where the drug has been manufactured.

Properties contaminated by the use of methamphetamine

The recommended limits for methamphetamine contamination are:

  • 5ug/100cm2 for carpeted buildings where the drug has been used
  • 0ug/100cm2 for non-carpeted buildings where the drug has been used

New Standards are being developed relating to testing and remediation of properties contaminated by the manufacture or use of methamphetamine. While the New Zealand Standard has yet to be finalised, Tauranga City Council accepts the new levels recommended by the Ministry of Health.

Rotorua District Council

Follow the recommended limits for methamphetamine contamination from the Ministry of Health which are:

Clandestine drug laboratories

Contamination should not exceed 0.5ug/100cm2 for buildings where the drug has been manufactured.

Properties contaminated by the use of methamphetamine

The recommended limits for methamphetamine contamination are:

  • 5ug/100cm2 for carpeted buildings where the drug has been used
  • 0ug/100cm2 for non-carpeted buildings where the drug has been used

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Waikato District Council

Follow the recommended limits for methamphetamine contamination from the Ministry of Health which are:

Clandestine drug laboratories

Contamination should not exceed 0.5ug/100cm2 for buildings where the drug has been manufactured.

Properties contaminated by the use of methamphetamine

The recommended limits for methamphetamine contamination are:

  • 1.5ug/100cm2 for carpeted buildings where the drug has been used
  • 2.0ug/100cm2 for non-carpeted buildings where the drug has been used

Auckland Council

Contamination should not exceed 0.5ug/100cm2.

Initial testing

Screening tests can be carried out to check if contamination is present at a property.

The Ministry of Health guidelines specify that professionals who assess and test a property must operate independently of commercial decontamination (clean-up) companies.

Property owners should employ contractors who are:

  • Qualified
  • Equipped
  • Experienced to perform hazardous tasks

Auckland council have a number of statutory obligations to meet once they are aware of a contaminated property

See Auckland council web site for full details.

Christchurch Council

Follow the recommended limits for methamphetamine contamination from the Ministry of Health which are:

Clandestine drug laboratories

Contamination should not exceed 0.5ug/100cm2 for buildings where the drug has been manufactured.

Properties contaminated by the use of methamphetamine

The recommended limits for methamphetamine contamination are:

  • 5ug/100cm2 for carpeted buildings where the drug has been used
  • 0ug/100cm2 for non-carpeted buildings where the drug has been used

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