Pubdate: Sat, 10 Feb 2001
Source: Fresno Bee, The (CA)
Copyright: 2001 The Fresno Bee
Contact:  http://www.fresnobee.com/man/opinion/letters.html
Website: http://www.fresnobee.com/
Forum: http://www.fresnobee.com/man/projects/webforums/opinion.html
Author: Russell Clemings, The Fresno Bee

BILL REQUIRES DRUG LAB DISCLOSURE

Property Owners Would Have To Reveal Whether Lab Has Been Cleaned Up.

A state senator from Southern California has introduced a bill in the 
Legislature to require property owners to notify prospective buyers or 
renters if an illegal drug lab has been discovered on their property, and 
to disclose whether it was completely cleaned up.

The bill by Sen. Debra Bowen, D-Redondo Beach, would extend an existing law 
on real estate disclosures that covers hazards such as asbestos, radon gas 
or lead-based paint to include chemical residues left from the clandestine 
manufacture of methamphetamine and other illicit drugs.

About 2,000 such labs are discovered each year in California. Although a 
state agency provides funding for removing stored chemicals and 
contaminated equipment, there is no public money available for removing 
residues that may linger in walls, carpets and other places, Bowen said in 
a statement.

"It's illegal for a property owner to cover up asbestos-laced insulation in 
the floors or attic, then try and sell the home without disclosing that 
information," Bowen said. "So why should it be any different when a 
property owner just paints over a wall that had been contaminated by the 
toxic cooking process used to make meth?"

The problem of unsuspecting buyers and renters moving into contaminated 
sites of former drug labs was one of several hazards identified in an 
18-page special report, "A Madness Called Meth," that was published jointly 
Oct. 8 by The Fresno Bee, Modesto Bee and Sacramento Bee.

The report by the McClatchy Co.'s California newspapers also found 
inconsistent cleanup standards from county to county, making it difficult 
to say with assurance that a former drug lab site has been cleaned up 
enough for habitation.

At one extreme, Sacramento County officials require owners to hire an 
industrial hygienist to take samples before and after cleanup; only then 
will the county issue a letter declaring the property safe. Some counties 
require no site cleanup at all; most are in the middle.

Bowen sponsored a bill last year to require the state Department of Toxic 
Substances Control to set statewide cleanup standards, but Gov. Davis 
vetoed it. However, the governor included funding and staff in his proposed 
2001-02 budget for the department to develop such guidelines.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D