Decontamination Procedures

After the Work Plan has been approved by the owner of the decontaminated property and the decontamination specialist(s) and has been submitted to the local health department, work on decontamination of the property can begin. In addition to the specific decontamination procedures that must be followed, there are few procedures that must be followed throughout the decontamination procedures. The owner or decontamination specialist shall do the following:

- comply will all applicable federal, state, municipal, and local laws, rules, ordinances, and regulations while decontamination of the property is proceeding.

- the decontamination specialist or the owner of the property is required to be on the property during all decontamination activities.

- conduct the removal of contaminated materials from the property. This does not include porous materials from areas not highly suggestive of contamination that may be cleaned as outlined in this Rule under subsection R392-600-5(12).

- ensure that doors and other openings to areas that require decontamination are partitioned off from all other areas with plastic sheeting that is at least 4 mil (0.004 inches) thick or the equivalent prior to starting decontamination. This precaution is to be performed in order to prevent the spread of contamination to other areas of the property that have not been impacted by illegal drug operations.

Several subsections under "Decontamination Procedures" reference R392-600-5(12). This subsection, titled Cleaning Procedures, reads as follows:

For all items, surfaces or materials that are identified as easily cleanable and for which the work plan indicates they will be decontaminated on site, the decontamination specialist or owner of record shall wash them with a detergent and water solution and then thoroughly rinse them. This procedure shall be repeated at least two additional times using new detergent solution and rinse water. The decontamination specialist or owner of record shall test all surfaces where decontamination on site has been attempted to verify compliance with the decontamination standards in R392-600-6(2) and R392-600-6(3).

The decontamination standards referred to in R392-600(2) and R392-600-6(3) are shown in the following table (or refer to the appropriate sections of the Rule):

Based on the Cleaning Procedures and Decontamination Standards, requirements of Ventilation Cleaning Procedures are as follows:

- Air registers shall be removed and cleaned as outlined in R392-600-5(12).

- During decontamination, all air register openings shall be covered by temporary filter media. This will stop the spread of materials throughout the property while the ductwork is being cleaned.

- A fan-powered HEPA filter collection machine shall be connected to the ductwork of the ventilation system to produce negative pressure in the ductwork. This will allow for the collection of any contaminated materials in the ductwork to be collected by the collection machine.

- Air lances, mechanical agitators, or rotary brushes shall be inserted into the ducts through the air register openings to loosen all dirt, dust and other materials. This enables contaminated materials adhering to the ductwork to be loosened and then collected by the HEPA filter collection machine.

- The air handler units, including the return air housing, coils, fans, systems, and drip pan shall be cleaned as required in subsection R392-600-5(12).

- All porous linings or filters in the ventilation system shall be removed and properly disposed. Disposal procedures are described below and in subsection R392-600-5(13).

- The ventilation system shall be sealed off at all openings with at least 4-mil plastic sheeting, or other barrier of equivalent strength and effectiveness, to prevent recontamination until the contaminated portion of the property meets the decontamination standards in R392-600-6(2) and(3). Cleaning procedures throughout the property could generate dust or particles that could potentially be spread throughout the property through the ductwork. Sealing off the ventilation system eliminates this type of contamination.

Procedures for areas highly suggestive of contamination:

- All porous materials shall be removed and properly disposed.  On site cleaning of this material is not allowed. Porous materials are not easily cleaned and may therefore remain contaminated after a cleaning procedure.

- All materials that appear to be stained shall be removed and properly disposed of, unless the decontamination specialist or owner determines that cleaning and testing can be performed. The decontamination specialist or owner must also demonstrate that, based on results of confirmation sampling and testing, the materials meet the decontamination standards contained in subsections R392-600-6(2) and (3). The only surfaces that may be decontaminated on site are those that are smooth and easily cleanable and then only in accordance with R392-600-5(12).

- All non-porous surfaces may be cleaned to the point of stain removal and left in place or removed and properly disposed.  Only smooth and easily cleanable surfaces may be decontaminated on site and only in accordance subsection R392-600-5(12).  After on-site cleaning, the decontamination specialist or owner of record shall test all surfaces to verify compliance with the decontamination standards contained in R392-600-6(2) and (3).

- All exposed concrete surfaces shall be thoroughly cleaned as outlined in R392-600-5(12) and tested to meet the decontamination standards contained in  R392-600-6(2) and (3) or may be removed and properly disposed.

- All appliances shall be removed and properly disposed, unless the decontamination specialist or owner determines that cleaning and testing can be performed. The decontamination specialist or owner must also demonstrate that, based on results of confirmation sampling and testing, the materials meet the decontamination standards contained in subsections R392-600-6(2) and (3). Only smooth and easily cleanable surfaces may be decontaminated on site and only in accordance subsection R392-600-5(12). After on-site cleaning, the decontamination specialist or owner of record shall test all surfaces to verify compliance with the decontamination standards contained in R392-600-6(2) and (3). For appliances such as ovens that have insulation, a 100 square centimeter portion of the insulation shall also be tested. If the insulation does not meet the decontamination standards contained in R392-600-6(2) and R392-600-6(3), the insulated appliances shall be removed and properly disposed.

If, as a result of the decontamination, the structural integrity or security of the property is compromised, the decontamination specialist or owner shall take measures to remedy the structural integrity and security of the property.

Procedures for Plumbing, Septic, Sewer, and Soil.

- All plumbing inlets to the septic or sewer system, including sinks, floor drains, bathtubs, showers, and toilets, shall be visually assessed for any staining or other observable residual contamination. All plumbing traps shall be assessed for concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with a PID or FID in accordance with Section R392-600-6(7). All plumbing traps shall be assessed for mercury vapors in accordance with Section R392-600-6(10) by using a mercury vapor analyzer unless the results of the preliminary assessment indicate that contamination was unlikely to have occurred. If VOC concentrations or mercury vapor concentrations exceed the decontamination standards contained in R392-600-6(2) and (3), the accessible plumbing and traps that are contaminated shall be removed and properly disposed, or cleaned and tested to meet decontamination standards as described in R392-600-6(2) and (3).

- The decontamination specialist or owner of record shall obtain documentation from the local health department or the local waste water company describing the sewer disposal system for the dwelling and include it in the final report.

- If the dwelling is connected to an on-site septic system, a sample of the septic tank liquids shall be obtained and tested for VOC concentrations unless the results of the preliminary assessment indicate that contamination was unlikely to have occurred. If VOCs are not found in the septic tank sample or they are at concentrations less than Utah Ground Water Quality Standards (UGWQS) no additional work is required in the septic system area, unless requested by the owner of the property. The septic tank sample must also have less than 700 micrograms per liter for acetone. The Utah Ground Water Quality Standards are defined in the Rule R317-6-2.

- If VOCs are found in the septic tank at concentrations exceeding the UGWQS or exceeding 700 micrograms per liter for acetone the following applies:

1.  The decontamination specialist or the owner shall investigate the septic system discharge area for VOCs. Tests are also required for lead and mercury unless there is clear evidence that lead or mercury was not used in the manufacturing of illegal drugs on the property.

2.  The horizontal and vertical extent of any VOCs, mercury, and lead detected in the soil samples shall be determined relative to background or EPA residential risk based screening concentrations as listed in the following document: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Region 9: Superfund Preliminary Remediation Goals (PRG) Table, October 2004. This document can be found on the web at: http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/sfund/prg/

3.  If any VOCs, mercury, or lead have migrated through the soil to the groundwater level, the decontamination specialist or owner shall determine the vertical and horizontal extent of the groundwater contamination.

4.  After complete characterization of the release, the decontamination specialist or property owner shall remove the contamination from the impacted soils to concentrations below background or EPA residential risk based screening concentrations as listed in the following document: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Region 9: Superfund Preliminary Remediation Goals (PRG) Table, October 2004. Groundwater contamination shall also be removed so that concentrations are below the UGWQS and below 700 micrograms per liter for acetone.

5.  The contents of the septic tank shall be removed and properly disposed.

- The decontamination specialist or owner of record shall also notify the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Quality, if a release has occurred as a result of illegal drug operations to a single family septic system or a multiple family system serving less than 20 people.

- All sampling and testing described in this section shall be performed in accordance with EPA sampling and testing protocol.

The following lists the procedures decontamination of burn areas, trash piles and bulk wastes:

- The decontamination specialist or owner shall characterize, remove, and properly dispose of all bulk wastes remaining from the activities of illegal drug operations. Other waste materials that have become contaminated by compounds used by the illegal drug operations shall also be removed from the property and properly disposed of.

- The decontamination specialist or owner shall examine the property for evidence of burn areas, burn or trash pits, debris piles, and stained areas suggestive of contamination.  The decontamination specialist or owner shall test these areas with appropriate soil sampling and testing equipment, such as a LEL/O2 meter, pH paper, PID, FID, mercury vapor analyzer, or equivalent equipment to determine if the area is contaminated.

- If the burn areas, burn or trash pits, debris piles, or stained areas are not in a part of the property that has previously been determined to be highly suggestive of contamination, the decontamination specialist shall recommend to the owner of the property that these areas be investigated.

- If the burn areas, burn or trash pits, debris piles or stained areas are part of the contaminated portion of the property, the decontamination specialist or owner of record shall investigate and remove the contamination from these areas.

- The decontamination specialist or owner shall investigate burn areas, burn or trash pits, debris piles, and stained areas for the specific VOCs that were used in the methods of illegal drug production at the site. Concentrations of lead and mercury shall also be investigated unless there is clear evidence that mercury or lead was not used in the manufacturing of illegal drugs at the illegal drug operations.

- The decontamination specialist or owner shall delineate the horizontal and vertical extent of any VOCs, lead, or mercury detected in the soil samples relative to background concentrations or EPA residential risk based screening concentrations as listed in the following document: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Region 9: Superfund Preliminary Remediation Goals (PRG) Table, October 2004.

- If any of the compounds used by the illegal drug operation have migrated into the groundwater, the decontamination specialist or owner of the property shall delineate the vertical and horizontal extent of the groundwater contamination relative to the UGWQS and relative to the maximum contaminant level of 700 micrograms per liter for acetone.

- After complete characterization of the release, the decontamination specialist or owner shall remove contaminated soils so that levels are back to background or EPA residential risk based screening concentrations as in the following document: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Region 9: Superfund Preliminary Remediation Goals (PRG) Table, October 2004. Groundwater shall also be decontaminated to concentrations at or below the UGWQS and at or below 700 micrograms per liter for acetone.

- All sampling and testing conducted under this section shall be performed in accordance with current EPA sampling and testing protocol.

For areas that were found to be not highly suggestive of contamination during the preliminary assessment, the following procedures apply:

- Porous materials are materials that are easily penetrated or permeated by gases, liquids, or powders.  Some examples include: carpets; draperies; bedding; mattresses; clothing; fabrics; cardboard; and many others. Porous materials with no evidence of staining or contamination may be cleaned with a vacuum containing a HEPA filter and one of these two methods:

1.  Steam cleaning: Hot water and detergent shall be injected into the porous materials under pressure to agitate and loosen any contamination.  The water and detergent solution shall then be extracted from the porous material by a wet vacuum.
2.  Detergent and water solution: Porous materials shall be washed in a washing machine with detergent and water for at least 15 minutes.  The porous materials shall be rinsed with water. This procedure shall be repeated at least two additional times using new detergent solution and rinse water.

- All non-porous surfaces such as floors, walls, ceilings, mirrors, windows, doors, appliances, and non-fabric furniture shall be cleaned as outlined in the Cleaning Procedure subsection R392-600-5(12).

- Doors or other openings to areas with no visible contamination shall be partitioned from all other areas with at least 4-mil plastic sheeting or equivalent after being cleaned to avoid re-contamination during the decontamination process.

- Spray-on acoustical ceilings shall be left undisturbed, and shall be sampled and tested for asbestos and for contamination to determine whether ceilings meet the decontamination standards contained in R392-600-6(2) and (3). If in need of removal, it shall be determined whether asbestos remediation protocols are applicable. If the materials exceed the standards, the decontamination specialist or owner shall properly remove and dispose of them.

- All exposed concrete surfaces shall be thoroughly cleaned as outlined in Cleaning Procedure subsection R392-600-5(12).

Decontamination procedures for motor vehicles.

If an illegal drug operation is discovered in a motor vehicle, the decontamination specialist or owner of record shall conduct a Preliminary Assessment in the manner described in this Rule to determine if the vehicle is contaminated.  If it is determined that the motor vehicle is contaminated and the vehicle cannot be cleaned in a manner consistent with this Rule, the motor vehicle may no longer be used or occupied. In this case the vehicle shall also be properly disposed.

Cleaning Procedure

For all items, surfaces or materials that are identified as easily cleanable and for which the work plan indicates they will be decontaminated on site, the decontamination specialist or owner of record shall wash them with a detergent and water solution and then thoroughly rinse them.  This procedure shall be repeated at least two additional times using new detergent solution and rinse water.  The decontamination specialist or owner of record shall test all surfaces where decontamination on site has been attempted to verify compliance with the decontamination standards in R392-600-6(2) and R392-600-6(3).

The Hazardous Waste Rules of R315-1 through R315-101, the Solid Waste Rules of R315-301 through R315-320 and the Illegal Drug Operations Decontamination Standards regulate the management and disposal of hazardous waste and contaminated debris generated during decontamination of an illegal drug operation. The decontamination specialist and owner of record shall comply with these rules and meet the following criteria.

The following is a list of the required waste characterization and disposal procedures:

- No waste, impacted materials or contaminated debris from the decontamination of illegal drug operations may be removed from the site or waste stream for recycling or reuse without the written approval of the local Health Department.

- All items removed from the illegal drug operations and waste generated during decontamination work shall be properly disposed as described in the Hazardous Waste and Solid Waste Rules.

- All liquid waste, powders, pressurized cylinders and equipment used to make illegal drugs shall be properly characterized by sampling or testing. This sampling is required to make decisions regarding proper disposal. If sampling and testing is not performed, the waste shall simply be considered hazardous waste and properly disposed. If sampling and testing is not performed, the waste cannot be considered household hazardous waste.

- If the decontamination specialist or owner of record determines that impacted materials and contaminated debris are not considered hazardous waste, these materials may be considered as solid waste and properly disposed of in accordance with the Solid Waste Rules.

- All Infectious Waste shall be managed in accordance with Federal, State and local requirements.

- The disturbance, removal and disposal of asbestos must be done in compliance with all Federal, State, and local requirements including the requirements for Asbestos Certification, Asbestos Work Practices and Implementation of Toxic Substances Control Act, Utah Administrative Code R307-801.

- The removal and disposal of lead based paint must be done in compliance with all Federal, State, and local requirements including the requirements for Lead-Based Paint Accreditation, Certification and Work Practice Standards, Utah Administrative Code R307-840.

- The decontamination specialist and owner of record shall comply with all Federal, State, Municipal, County or City codes, ordinances and regulations pertaining to waste storage, manifesting, record keeping, waste transportation and disposal.