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Resources for the Qualified Inspector

Decontamination

Rules for Inspection and Decontamination of Property

Indiana Administrative Code, Title 410, Article 38. Inspection and Cleanup of Property Contaminated with Chemicals Used in the Illegal Manufacture of a Controlled Substance

  • Applies to multiple types of drug labs, including Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), Amphetamine, Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, Methcathinone, Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA or Ecstasy), Phencyclidine (PCP) and Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB).
  • Requires owners of contaminated property that was used for illegal drug manufacture to clean up the property before continuing to occupy, use, reoccupy, or sell the property.
  • Provides for decontamination of the property or removal of all potentially contaminated material, demolition of a structure, disposal of a vehicle, and destruction and disposal of a watercraft as options to clean up contaminated property.
  • Set standards for inspection, decontamination, and/or removal of contaminated property.
  • Prescribes methods for sampling and testing the contaminated property.
  • Sets criteria for persons to become listed on the qualified inspector list.
  • Sets criteria for Qualified Inspectors to remain listed.
  • Requires the Qualified Inspector to provide a certificate that shows the property has been properly decontaminated.
  • Establishes the duties of a demolition contractor in the event the contaminated property has to be demolished.

Duties of a Qualified Inspector

Meth Cleaning

For decontamination, the Qualified Inspector must

  • Review the Indiana State Police (ISP) Lab Occurrence Report.
  • If no ISP report exists, consult with the law enforcement agency that terminated the lab and the local health department to determine the types of chemicals used.
  • Contact the Environmental Health Specialist of the county in which the property is located to establish local rules or ordinances that might apply to the property.
  • Conduct an initial assessment to determine the types of chemicals used in the illegal manufacture of a controlled substance and the scope of area(s) involved in the manufacture.
  • Complete testing, using U.S. EPA Method 8270C or equivalent method or practice, to determine the levels of chemicals used and the scope and extent of contamination for the entire structure, HVAC within the structure, areas outside the structure, and the sewage disposal system.
  • Notify, in writing, the local health department and the Indiana Department of Health's Drug Lab Cleanup Program, the dates the assessment, all testing and decontamination will be conducted.
  • Notify the company that pumps septic system or decontaminates the HVAC system of possible hazards.
  • Supervise decontamination, including septic system and or sewage disposal system.
  • Inspect the property when decontamination is complete or if the initial assessment indicates decontamination is not required.
  • Complete the Certificate of Illegal Drug Lab Cleanup and provide it to the owner.  Send a copy of it simultaneously to the local health department and IDOH.
  • Dispose or arrange for disposal of wastes in accordance with 329 IAC 3.1 (hazardous wastes), 327 IAC 7.1 (septic system wastewater), and 329 IAC 10 (all other wastes).

Meth Cleaning

Although 410 IAC 38-6-1 does not require a Qualified Inspector to complete demolitions, should the Qualified Inspector supervise a demolition by a demolition contractor, the contractor must complete the Notification of Demolition for Illegal Drug Lab Cleanup to document the demolition and email it to the local health department and druglabcleanup@isdh.in.gov.

For a list of properties that have been decontaminated or demolished in accordance with 410 IAC, please see the Illegal Drug Lab Cleared Properties page.

Note: IDOH does not

  • endorse any specific company or inspector or
  • regulate or control fees for testing, cleanup or inspection services.

How to Become a Qualified Inspector

Hazmat Training

Each Qualified Inspector must complete and provide documentation of all of the following:

  • At least forty (40) hours of experience cleaning illegal drug labs, or similar work, such as emergency response operations, cleanup or remediation operations, corrective actions, or operations involving hazardous wastes that are regulated under the regulations of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at 29 CFR 1910.120. Documentation may include timesheets, reports, letters from employers, or notarized affidavits of 40 hours of experience.
  • Training for supervisors required by 29 CFR 1910.120(e) (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response). Taking the 8-hour supervisor training requires 40 hours of training for general site workers. Documentation must include training certificates signed by the instructor showing completion of all required OSHA training.  Any refresher certificates must be provided if the original training occurred prior to the year of listing.
  • Training provided by IDOH and passing an examination on 410 IAC, safety and testing with a score of at least eighty percent (80%).
  • A Certificate of Liability Insurance that reflects the required insurance coverage:
    • Professional liability insurance in the amount of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000).
    • Errors and omissions insurance in the amount of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence.
    • Pollution prevention (contractor's pollution coverage) insurance in the amount of at least three million dollars ($3,000,000).

A person who meets the foregoing criteria and wants to be placed on the qualified inspector list may apply for listing by completing the Application for Listing as a Qualified Inspector for Drug Lab Cleanup.

The application, along with all supporting documentation, may be mailed, delivered, faxed, or emailed to:

Qualified Inspector Program Director
Indiana Department of Health
Environmental Public Health Division
2 North Meridian, 7-D
Indianapolis, IN  46204

Training for the Qualified Inspector

Classroom Training

The Illegal Drug Lab Decontamination Program is transitioning the classroom curriculum to a 24/7 virtual training module for the convenience of our qualified inspectors wishing to recertify their credentials beginning June 30, 2023. Qualified Inspectors currently listed will receive an email with instructions on how to access the course.

Contractors, educators, and others are welcome to participate in initial training to become qualified in the inspection and decontamination of properties used during the illegal manufacture of controlled substances by clicking on the application link above.

Local health department representatives are encouraged to attend to learn and understand how the system works and their role in the cleanup process.

There is no cost for this training, which includes:

  • Indiana State Police Meth Suppression Section’s perspective on illegal drug labs in Indiana
  • Requirements of Indiana's illegal drug lab cleanup rule
  • Health and Safety issues
  • Sampling and lab analysis procedures
  • Local Health Department interaction
  • Examination

A forty-five question Multiple-Choice Exam will follow the training module. Those wanting to take the examination should be thoroughly familiar with 410 IAC 38 prior to attending the training.  Participants will be tested on health and safety issues, as well as sampling and lab analysis procedures taught during the course.

To register for Qualified Inspector training, complete the Student Registration for Illegal Drug Lab Cleanup Training form and attach it to an email to the Drug Lab Cleanup Program at Druglabcleanup@health.in.gov.