Meth Contaminated Property in Indiana: What to Know

Methamphetamine manufacture leaves residue that soaks into drywall, carpet, insulation, framing and ductwork. It does not wash off, it does not dissipate on its own, and it continues to off-gas into the air of the property long after anyone has cooked anything there.

Why it matters to occupants

Reported effects among people living in contaminated properties include respiratory problems, persistent headaches, skin and eye irritation, and sleep disturbance. Children are at the greatest risk, because they spend more time in contact with floors and surfaces and put their hands in their mouths.

Indiana keeps a public list

The Indiana State Police maintain a public methamphetamine contaminated properties list. Properties on it carry obligations before they can lawfully be reoccupied, and buyers and prospective tenants can search it. If you are buying in Indiana, checking that list is a five-minute step that can save you a five-figure problem.

Disclosure

Contaminated property carries disclosure and remediation obligations in Indiana. Requirements and thresholds change, so confirm your specific situation with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management or your county health department rather than relying on general guidance, including this page.

Why repainting does not work

Because contamination is not only on the surface. Sealing over residue suppresses it temporarily and it re-emerges, usually within months and usually when the weather turns warm. Proper decontamination means testing to establish levels, removing material that cannot be decontaminated, treating what can, addressing the HVAC system, and testing again afterwards to verify the result.

What we do

• Hazardous material assessment to establish what is contaminated and to what degree.
• Containment so the work does not spread residue into clean areas.
• Removal and lawful disposal of material that cannot be decontaminated.
• Decontamination of salvageable surfaces and the ventilation system.
• Structural restoration, and documentation you can give a buyer, an insurer or an inspector.

If you have bought, inherited or are managing a property with a history, call us on (812) 447-8928 and we will tell you honestly what you are looking at.