Contamination of residential homes with methamphetamine is an emerging issue of significant concern to public health. Cooking or smoking methamphetamine in a residential property contaminates the house, furnishings and personal possessions within it, with subsequent exposure through ingestion, dermal absorption and/or inhalation causing adverse health effects. Current guidelines identifying levels of methamphetamine contamination that require remediation vary between countries. There is also no international standard protocol for measuring levels of contamination and research has shown that different materials give rise to different recovery rates of methamphetamine. There are a number of currently used remediation methods; however, they have varying levels of success with limited studies comparing their long-term efficacies. Most importantly, there are few guidelines available that are based on a transparent, health risk-based approach, and there are many uncertainties on exposures and health effects, making it difficult to ensure the health of people residing in homes that have been used to cook or smoke methamphetamine are sufficiently protected. This manuscript presents the current state of knowledge regarding the contamination of residential homes with methamphetamine and identifies the current gaps in knowledge and priority areas for future research. The current regulatory approach to public health protection associated with exposure to residential premises contaminated with methamphetamine in Australia, New Zealand and the USA is also discussed.

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Airborne microorganisms play a significant role in the transmission of infectious diseases. As such, improving indoor microbial air quality can enhance infection control in numerous settings. This study examined the efficacy of the PlasmaShield® air purification device to remove airborne microorganisms under laboratory conditions. Pure cultures of model microorganisms at varying concentrations were aerosolized using a 1-jet Collison nebulizer through stainless-steel removable piping prior to reaching the PlasmaShield® device. The surviving microorganisms were captured using the Staplex® MBS-6 Six Stage Microbial Air Sampler and enumerated via culture on agar plates. The positive-hole-corrected colony/plaque-forming units were compared with the negative control (microorganisms aerosolized through an empty PlasmaShield® casing). The PlasmaShield® statistically significantly (p < 0.05) reduced airborne Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacteriophage MS2 and Cladosporium sp. compared with the negative control. The maximum removal achieved was estimated to be 4 × log10E. coli (99.99% removal), 4 × log10S. epidermidis (99.97% removal), 7 × log10 MS2 (99.99998% removal) and 5 × log10Cladosporium sp. (99.999% removal). Scanning electron microscope images of the surviving microorganisms showed that the PlasmaShield® damaged the cell membrane of these model microorganisms. This study provides proof-of-concept evidence to support the use of this technology to improve indoor microbial air quality.

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To better protect public health from third-hand exposure to methamphetamine, it is important to understand the techniques and current practices used within the methamphetamine testing and decontamination industry in Australia. A survey was conducted focusing on business owners that advertised testing and/or remediation services online. They were also invited to participate in a follow-up phone interview upon completion. The survey demonstrated that testing and decontamination methods were highly varied, which was expected for an industry with no regulation. Most companies offered methamphetamine testing and remediation which could be a conflict of interest. Participants also shared personal experiences, including the conduct of other industry members, demonstrating both poor practice and/or the competitive nature of the business. Participating business owners were following Australian guidelines to the best of their ability, and many are advocates for regulation to be implemented within the industry. This would address the inconsistencies between companies and establish trust for industry members and the public. It would also provide significant public health protection, which is currently lacking. A more consistent approach to the testing and remediation of methamphetamine contamination, aided by regulation, would address the significant risk to public health caused by third-hand exposure to methamphetamine.