Dow Columbia: Water Damage Tips

Chronology of a Meth Lab Cleanup

Step One: Police Make Bust

Step Two: Remove Chemicals

	A Company licensed to remove chemicals is then called (Hazmat team).
	One Portland-local company is EnviroSolve http://www.enviro-solve.com/

Step Three: Reporting

Police report goes to the Department of Human Services (DHS)
DHS sends notice to the Building Codes Division, BCD, that property is deemed "Unfit For Use".
Owner is sent notice that his property is "Unfit" and may not be used until remediated.

Step Four: Property Owner Requests Estimate

Owner retains state-licensed Meth Lab clean-up company (we recommend Dow Columbia!)
Licensed Cleanup Contractors are required to have the following credentials:
- 40 hours Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training for workers.
- 48 hours HAZWOPER training for supervisors
- 16 hours of state meth lab training
- Passing grade on a very difficult final exam given by the state of Oregon.
Contractors are obligated to follow strict DHS regulations or they could lose their license.
Contractor obtains copy of the police report.
Contractor proceeds with initial inspection and estimate.
Assessment and pretesting by licensed company
Testing by a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
Average Cost is $1,200-$1,500 +$40 per sample
Samples results and assessments are sent to the DHS with a fee of $300. DHS will determine if property can be cleaned up.

Step Five: Submit Work Plans to DHS

Step Six: Damage Remediators Move In

At this point, Dow Columbia gets down to serious work.

Using proceedures established by OSHA and HAZWOPER, Dow Columbia moves in and cleans up the mess.
Samples of the environment are sent periodically to the CIH for testing
The final test results are sent to the DHS with a fee of $200.
If the test passes, the DHS issue a "Certificate of Fitness"
The owner notifies the Building Codes Division of the certificate to have them remove the property from the "Unfit for Use" list.

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