Current practices in the meth testing and decontamination industry: an Australian case study
A study of 100 Australian businesses offering methamphetamine remediation, and what their owners revealed about current testing and decontamination practice.
This study examined how methamphetamine testing and decontamination is actually carried out in Australia, by identifying the businesses offering these services and asking their owners about their practices.
Who was included
An online search identified 100 companies involved in methamphetamine remediation in Australia. This included 64 individual business websites and 36 franchise contacts.
Of the 64 websites, 14 shared ownership with another business. Of the 36 franchises, 10 owned other locations. One business no longer existed. That left 75 individual owners who could be invited to take part in the study.
Who took part
Of the 75 owners, 40% agreed to complete the survey, 53% did not respond and 6.6% said they had no interest in the study. Of those who took part, 60% agreed to a follow up one on one interview.
100 companies identified, 75 individual owners, and 40% of owners agreed to take part in the survey.
Why it matters
The study provides a rare look at an industry that operates without a single national licensing scheme. Understanding how businesses sample, report and remediate, and how widely those practices vary, is an important step towards consistent standards that protect property owners and occupants. It is part of the evidence base that informs NAMC's work on standards and accreditation.
Read the full report
The full paper is published open access in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
Questions about a property?
Talk to the NAMC team on 1300 868 680, or find an accredited testing or decontamination member near you.
