Third-Hand Meth Contamination in Cars Poses Hidden Danger to Buyers and Renters
by Jo Ellen Nott
New research from Flinders University in South Australia, published in Forensic Chemistry, reveals a troubling public health risk: cars used for smoking, manufacturing, or transporting methamphetamine harbor significant drug residues, exposing future occupants to third-hand contamination. Testing on two used vehicles detected meth in 85 percent of surface wipe samples, 93 percent of bulk material samples, and all air samples after simulated smoking events. Researchers warn that such exposure can cause respiratory issues, headaches, and cognitive problems, and they call for improved testing and remediation protocols.
Dr. Kirstin Ross, a researcher from the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders, stresses that meth-contaminated vehicles are a serious concern, as cars are often involved in drug use, manufacturing, and transport. Dr. Gemma Kerry, another team member, found that meth residues persist across multiple wipe tests, confirming persistent contamination in both porous and non-porous surfaces. The location of contamination within a vehicle can even suggest whether the drug was smoked by a driver or passenger, or transported in the trunk.
This study poses a challenge to law enforcement, dealerships, and vehicle lenders to detect and clean contaminated cars—especially stolen or second-hand ones. With no standardized decontamination guidelines, unsuspecting buyers and renters risk exposure to lingering meth residues. The study, “Determining Extent and Distribution of Methamphetamine in Cars: Air vs Surface vs Fabrics,” underscores an urgent need for regulations and greater awareness to address methamphetamine contamination in the used car market.
Sources: Forensic Chemistry; Forensic Mag
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