FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 1, 2011
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Rafferty Bill to Improve Meth Lab Cleanup Procedures Passes Committee

HARRISBURG – Legislation introduced by Senator John Rafferty (R-Montgomery) to improve the process for cleaning up and removing methamphetamine labs cleared a key Senate hurdle last week.

Senate Bill 878, which was approved by the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee, would require owners or landlords to fully disclose that a property was previously used as a location to manufacture methamphetamine.

"Chemicals used in meth production are extremely toxic and can pose a risk to health, even after the drug-making materials have been removed," Rafferty said.  "Unless a structure has been thoroughly decontaminated, residual chemicals still remain on the walls and in the carpet as well as in heating and air conditioning ducts and can be very dangerous to people living there."

Senator Rafferty's legislation would also require the state Department of Health to develop scientifically based standards for the removal of hazardous materials used in meth labs and establish regulations relating to those standards.

If a property is contaminated, the owner or renter may report the contaminated property to the department, which would be responsible for monitoring its decontamination and certifying that it has been properly cleaned.

"Our goal is to ensure that these properties are identified and cleaned up correctly so that people aren't exposed to dangerous chemicals," Rafferty said.

CONTACT:

John Gentzel
(717) 787-1398