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Crystal Clean® Frequently Asked Questions
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DTR Corporation
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How can a meth lab be cleaned up?
There are currently no national regulations on exactly how to cleanup former meth labs and situations are different in each meth lab. National and state agencies are working on standards to provide meth lab cleanup procedures that will protect the public and be practical for property owners. Check with your states authority for laws, rules and regulations in your area.
Sometimes remediation and painting is all that is necessary to restore a former meth lab to a safe living environment. Sometimes, contamination is so broad and extensive that the inside of the building needs complete renovation. Across the U.S., the response to cleaning up former meth lab properties ranges from remediation cleaning to complete demolition of buildings. Some meth labs require soil and/or groundwater cleanup as well, depending on the extent of how and where chemical wastes were managed. Arizona and California have very strict guidance, some of the toughest in the nation.
Property owners are responsible for proper cleanup and costs.
Owners who decide to clean buildings on their own should be aware that household building materials and furniture may absorb contaminants and, in some cases, give off fumes. Private cleanup contractors can be hired to conduct building cleanup as well. If you suspect your property has been the site of meth use or meth production, call us to determine a clean up plan. You could be held liable for selling or leasing a former meth house to unsuspecting individuals.Exposures to children and child decontamination
When a meth lab is seized and arrests are made, children residing at the meth house are taken into protective custody. Chemical exposures to these children are a concern, and there are conflicting opinions over the need to formally decontaminate children when there are taken into custody. DHS concurs with the recommendations of the Scientific and Medical Research Working Group of the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children.
How do I apply Crystal Clean® *see protocol
How does Crystal Clean® work?
Crystal Clean® is a three component system comprised of a Penetrator
solution, a Fortifier and a Booster.
The Penetrator solution is a surfactant solution and wets
out and dissolves the toxin.
The Fortifier is hydrogen peroxide, which acts to oxidize various parts of the
toxic molecules, breaking and neutralizing them. *Once mixed in the finished product, it is
about the same strength as a household antiseptic. As a peroxide, it can cause
skin irritation after prolonged exposure, irritation of the mucous membranes if
inhaled, or cause burns to the eyes... just as would occur with household
strength hydrogen peroxide.
The Booster is a material that reacts with the peroxide to form a high energy
and fast acting oxidizing species. It is safe for use, and is an FDA approved
food packaging material.
How much product needs to be applied?
If
Crystal Clean®
is applied as a foam, DTR Corporation recommends 2-3 inch layer of
foam to all suspected surfaces. If Crystal Clean®
is applied as a spray the protocol
is to spray treat all surfaces. Generally, if you are planning a
remediation treatment; take the footprint of the structure and multiply by 4.
This figure will give you the approximate total square foot figure.
Depending on the type of foamer or sprayer used in the application (garden sprayer vs.
high efficiency electrostatic sprayers) you will divide total
square footage by 1000 or 10,000 respectively, to get the number of gallons. *1 gallon covers
100-300sf if using a garden sprayer. The objective in using
Crystal Clean® is to contact and wet out the
contaminate for the required dwell time whether or not you are using foam, fog
or spray. Foaming is always the recommended method of application in
Methamphetamine Lab remediation.
How long should you leave the
product before cleaning?
In
lab tests, a 15 to 30 minute period was required for clearance results. On
surfaces using a bio-reveal test bacterial counts can go from over 1,000 to
below 10,
in 30 seconds. In mold remediation, the protocol is 60 mins x 2 dwell
time, however for a more pervasive remediation project an extended dwell time will
likely be required. Make sure enough time is
allotted to allow product to seep into cracks and crevices to find the mold or
contaminate, wetting it out. The
more porous the material, the longer the application time. Surface and air
sampling should be performed after treatment to determine that all contamination
has been remediated.
How long after
mixing is the product viable?
Once mixed
Crystal Clean®
remains active and viable for 8 hours.
Crystal Clean®
has a shelf life of 5 years when
properly stored. Recommended handling and storage instructions for
Crystal Clean®:
Where can I locate a professional applicator?
Call us at 602-799-3113 and we will locate an expert in your area, or if a
provider is not available in your area, we will provide you with the necessary
training.
Meth clan labs can be set up anywhere from campgrounds and cars, to homes, barns, apartments, hotel rooms, and many other locations. Lab sizes range from small, portable labs known as "Mom and Pop" labs to larger, more permanent labs in structures, to "Super labs" that can produce up to 100 pounds of meth per cook. Meth labs may present chemical hazards such as acids, and hydrocarbons along with safety hazards including fires and explosions.
What is methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine, an illegal substance also known as “meth,” “speed,” “crank,” “crystal,” and “ice," is a potent synthetic drug that is a
potent central nervous system stimulant and is highly addictive. The effects of meth are similar to those of cocaine. It gives the user a “rush” or intense feeling of pleasure that lasts longer than cocaine. Meth is an increasingly popular drug that can be injected, snorted, taken orally, or smoked. Long-term use leads to physical dependence. Meth may give a person periods of high energy and rapid speech. Many chronic meth users also experience severe depression, delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, and violent behavior. For this reason, you should never enter an active meth lab. Contact your local law enforcement immediately.Meth is often made in makeshift laboratories, such as rented apartments or hotel rooms. During the production of meth, a property can become contaminated with hazardous chemicals, and there is a strong risk of fire or explosion.
What chemicals is meth made from?
There are many different chemical "recipes" for “cooking” meth. Each uses different ingredients. Many chemicals used in meth labs are also common in homes. However, the poor handling and disposal of these chemicals, as well as mixing incompatible compounds, can create hazards. Common household chemicals used in meth labs include flammable and volatile solvents such as methanol, ether, benzene, methylene chloride, trichloroethane, and toluene. Other common household chemicals include muriatic acid, sodium hydroxide, table salt, and ammonia.
Meth-related chemicals not commonly found in large amounts in homes include anhydrous ammonia, red phosphorous, iodine, and reactive metals. Other hazardous chemicals can be formed during the “cooking” process.
Many chemicals may contaminate a property after cooking meth. Carpeting, wallboard, ceiling tile, or fabric may absorb spilled or vaporized chemicals. Furniture or draperies may become contaminated. Outdoor disposal sites may also require evaluation and cleanup.
What is the booster in the Crystal Clean® product for?
The booster is a material that reacts with the peroxide to form a high energy
and fast acting oxidizer that reacts with various parts of the toxin
molecule, breaking down and neutralizing it.
What are the advantages of Crystal Clean® as compared to traditional remediation?
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Cost/Time/Labor: With Crystal Clean®, office/home relocation living expenses can be reduced significantly or eliminated altogether. Our process can take as little as a 'few' hours depending on the source of contamination and building contents. Unlike traditional remediation which could cause your home or place of business to be closed and sealed off for weeks or months.  Guarantee: With Crystal Clean®, there will be NO CHARGE for our product application if the building we treat does not pass the clearance test. (pending a thorough inspection and proper application by a trained and certified installer). Most traditional remediation contractors do not make any guarantees. Mold/Mycotoxins/Allergens: With Crystal Clean®, spores, toxins and allergens are neutralized by contact with our solution. Unless it is specifically requested, 'whole treatment' is rarely addressed when using traditional remediation. Bacteria/Virus: With Crystal Clean® bacteria, and virus are neutralized by changes in their chemical or DNA structure rendering them 'dead' thereby eliminating any chance of 'super bug' regeneration. No other product or service available to the public offers this kind of protection.
VOC's/Toxic
Chemicals: Unknown Areas: |
What is the Kill Time?
The only way to determine if contamination is neutralized is to conduct sampling
operations. This procedure requires trained personnel in sampling techniques. A
laboratory with trained staff must analyze biological samples to verify the
results.
What is the optimal temperature
for storing
Crystal Clean®?
DTR
Corporation recommends keeping the solution in a cool, dry environment protected
from direct sunlight or UV light. Crystal Clean® will freeze at 24 degrees
Fahrenheit (-4 Celsius) and will boil at 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 Celsius).
The product will begin to degrade at a higher rate when subjected to
temperatures in excess of 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 Celsius).
What happens to a contaminate
once neutralized?
Contaminates
are killed, and their counterparts are reduced to a non-detectable level.
Once neutralized, the contaminate is nonviable,
and cannot grow
or cause any further damage. Additionally, the toxins are neutralized and
changed, and will not likely cause any further reactions.
Below are anthrax spores before and after treatment. As you can see they are
severely altered. Clean up using water, rags, mops and vacuums is all that is
needed to remove dead contaminates.
Can...?
Can I See Foaming :
Application Photo
Can I use Crystal Clean® in the
kitchen?
Yes, Crystal Clean® is non-toxic to humans. You will want to wipe down all surfaces
that will come into contact with food preparation areas, just as you would with
any kitchen cleaner.
Why use Crystal Clean®?
With traditional
remediation, protocols do not cover areas that are not directly impacted by
infected areas. Crystal Clean® effectively treats every cubic inch
neutralizing all mold, bacteria, virus, toxins, VOC's, mVOC's and allergens.
Additionally, unlike other remediation products, with Crystal Clean® you're treating
for other contamination such as virus, bacteria, toxic industrial chemicals that
are likely associated with contamination events. Crystal Clean® eliminates
pollutant microns of even the smallest known size with an efficiency rate of
99.99999%. Insurance companies prefer to eliminate the time and labor
costs associated with traditional remediation using ineffective common chemical
cleaners nor the use of HEPA air scrubbers
which have an efficiency rate far lower, at only 99.97%. With Crystal Clean® there
is no worry over multiple cleanings, residual toxins, dirty filters, or inoperable parts and equipment, guaranteeing
clearance testing after the first treatment.
Crystal Clean is the only product on the market with actual test results
confirming effectiveness in methamphetamine lab remediation. *See
test report
Why Is the Crystal Clean® EPA Registered?
The product
has the following EPA registrations, EPA Reg. No.74436-1 and EPA Reg. No
74436-2.The EPA regulates the use of all chemical products sold in the United States.
Manufacturers are required to submit to EPA detailed and specific
information concerning the
chemical composition of their product; effectiveness data to document their
claims against specific microorganisms and to support the directions for use
provided in labeling; labeling that reflects the required elements for safe
and effective use; and toxicology data to document any hazards associated with
use of the product."
Is exposure to chemicals in a meth lab harmful?
While still in operation, or prior to a seizure, there is a high risk for acute exposure to harmful chemicals in meth labs. If you discover an active meth lab, do not attempt to enter. Contact your local law enforcement agency immediately.
Many of the chemicals used in the “cooking” process can be harmful. Short-term exposures to high concentrations of chemical vapors that may exist in a functioning meth lab can cause severe health problems or even death. For this reason, meth “cookers”, their families, and first responders are at highest risk of acute health effects from chemical exposure, including lung damage and chemical burns to different parts of the body. Heating solvents inside a building can create a highly flammable situation; meth labs are often discovered when fire fighters respond to a blaze.
After the police seize a meth lab, there is usually only a low exposure risk to chemical residues, but this contamination needs to be cleaned up. Also, properties often have serious sanitation and safety issues, such as physical and electrical hazards. Sanitation issues can complicate the assessment of chemical hazard risk. Any evaluation needs to consider the overall condition of the property.
Residues of methamphetamine and other chemicals remaining at a former meth lab are a concern for people who later use the property. For this reason, local health departments should thoroughly assess the property for hazards prior to allowing it to be re-inhabited, especially if by children.
When a meth lab is discovered in a multiple-unit dwelling, neighbors may be concerned about their exposure to hazardous chemicals while the lab was still active. Neighbors’ risk for exposure is usually very low, but it is important to address any nearby residents’ concerns.
Is sampling needed at former labs?
There is currently no national or state consensus on sampling at former meth lab buildings. Although many states have adopted cleanup standards that are based on the lowest detection of meth, typical ranges from 0.05 µg to 1.5 µg /100 cm2.
*Contact us for information on available testing to detect low levels of methamphetamine residue on surfaces. Tests are available to determine the need for cleaning in a specific area or the need for further cleaning on-site to reach state cleanup guidelines. Some states and counties require lab results from quantitative wipe sampling before issuing a re-entry certificate. Consult state meth cleanup guidelines. If chemicals have been dumped or spilled on the ground, in a septic system, or in surface water, the Department of Natural Resources will assess the need for environmental sampling. The DNR has specific guidelines to address environmental contamination.Is the residue toxic?
The residues of the chemical reaction with spores and toxins are not
toxic. The spores are neutralized, and the toxins no longer toxins,
but much shorter chain molecules. Crystal Clean®
itself is inherently biodegradable,
and can be rinsed to drain.