Third-hand Smoking of Methamphetamine: An Investigation of Airborne Methamphetamine Levels and Remediation Approach

QAEHS HDR Student Project

Globally, and particularly in Australia, there is growing concern about methamphetamine exposure from contaminated properties. Methamphetamine smoke can settle on surfaces and persist long-term, posing health risks to current and future occupants. Current guidelines set a surface concentration threshold of 0.05 µg/100 cm², though this was established with limited consideration of inhalation exposure. This project investigated real-world smokehouses, some of which were later identified as former clandestine laboratories. 

 

Project members

Joongcheon Nam

Masters Candidate

A/Prof Phong Thai

Co-Theme Leader, Environmental Health Risk Assessment

Dr Qiuda Zheng

Research Fellow

Lachlan Jekimovs

Senior Research Analyst