Voluntary Guidelines for Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Laboratory Cleanup

The Voluntary Guidelines for Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Laboratory Cleanup provides technical guidance for state and local personnel responsible for methamphetamine (meth) and fentanyl lab cleanup. The Guidelines are based on an extensive review of the best available science and practices and addresses general cleanup activities, identifies best practices for specific items or materials, discusses sampling procedures, and provides additional technical resources. EPA recognizes the emerging threat of fentanyl and the significant hazards fentanyl poses to the public and updated this document to include a new chapter on fentanyl remediation.

Voluntary Guidelines for Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Laboratory Cleanup

The Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2007 (PDF) (56pp, 5.7M, About PDF) required EPA to develop these guidelines, based on the best currently available knowledge in the field of meth lab remediation. EPA reviewed state guidance and regulations to develop these voluntary guidelines. In addition, this document has received extensive review and refinement from a broad array of stakeholders as well as focused feedback from nationally-recognized experts in meth lab remediation.

A peer reviewed article that addresses various approaches to cleaning fentanyl-contaminated surfaces was published in July 2021. The research identified various cleaning solutions that react with fentanyl with the intent to reduce or eliminate the toxicity. Such approach is preferred as it is more effective than cleaning through physical removal alone. 

Guidelines Questions and Answers:

Why did EPA publish these Voluntary Guidelines?

The Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2007 required EPA to develop guidelines for remediating former methamphetamine labs. This document provides those guidelines for States and local agencies to improve "our national understanding of identifying the point at which former methamphetamine laboratories become clean enough to inhabit again." The legislation also required that EPA periodically update the guidelines, as appropriate, to reflect the best available knowledge and research.

The document was first published in 2009 and was updated in 2013. Recognizing the emerging threat of fentanyl and the significant hazards fentanyl poses to the public, EPA updated this document in 2021 to include a new section on fentanyl remediation.

Who should use these guidelines?

The guidelines are geared towards state and local government personnel charged with remediating or otherwise addressing former methamphetamine (meth) and fentanyl labs. This document helps disseminate the best available knowledge and research on meth and fentanyl lab remediation and will also prove useful to cleanup contractors and could be a resource for homeowners.

Does this document create new regulations for meth and fentanyl lab cleanup?

EPA prepared this document based on best current practices to provide voluntary cleanup guidelines to state and local governments, cleanup contractors, industrial hygienists, policy makers and others involved in meth and fentanyl lab remediation. It does not set requirements, but rather suggests a way of approaching meth and fentanyl lab remediation. Those using this document should also consult their appropriate municipal, county or state guidance documents, regulations and statutes. This document is not meant to supersede municipal, county or state guidance documents, regulations or statutes (however this document may be useful as they develop and/or review and revise their own guidelines).

What are the potential threats/hazards of fentanyl?

A new chapter about fentanyl cleanup is included due to increasing clandestine fentanyl lab encounters in the United States. Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic opioid; approximately 100 times stronger than morphine. In addition to the high toxicity, one of the dangers of encountering fentanyl is the particle size, which ranges from 0.2-2.0 microns; this small particle size means fentanyl is easily airborne. Special considerations are warranted because of the toxicity of fentanyl, its physical properties, and the ability to alter the fentanyl structure resulting in hazardous/toxic fentanyl analogs.

Properties may be contaminated by hazardous chemicals used or produced in the manufacture or packaging of fentanyl where those chemicals remain and where the contamination has not been remediated. In the United States, there are currently no state or federal standards for determining when the site of a closed fentanyl drug laboratory has been successfully remediated.

For the new section on fentanyl, what resources were consulted?

The fentanyl remediation section of this document relies heavily on guidance developed by the Province of Alberta, Canada (Alberta Health). Alberta Health prepared Fentanyl Remediation: Guidance for Remediators, Regulatory Agencies and Professionals in 2020 to help manage risks related to property or materials contaminated with fentanyl. Because Alberta Health’s guidance development process included reviewing current legislation and referencing similar hazardous substance guidance as well as considering industry best practices and consultation with subject matter experts, EPA used the Province of Alberta’s guidance as the basis for this chapter. EPA also consulted subject matter experts in the development of this chapter and ensured both internal and external stakeholders reviewed the document and had an opportunity to provide feedback.

Were states consulted in the development of the new section on fentanyl?

State partners who were instrumental in the development of the original Voluntary Guidelines were consulted early in the development of the section. Overwhelmingly, the consensus was that because fentanyl is not being produced in the United States, states were looking to the Federal government for information and guidance on fentanyl remediation. EPA used Alberta Health’s guidance as the foundation of the new section on fentanyl as it had already been fully vetted and published. Additionally, the Team that developed the Voluntary Guidelines provided input and insights to Alberta Health’s guidance document.