Over a Dozen Georgia Police Offers Exposed to Chemicals & Mold at Marijuana Grow House

Cinnaminson, NJ, March 11, 2013

Earlier this month, the Ledger-Enquirer published a story about the bust of a marijuana grow house in Columbus, Georgia. According to the article, fourteen police officers served a search warrant on the grow house and were exposed to chemicals used to grow the illegal marijuana plants as well as mold due to the conditions inside the property.

This all too common case highlights both the dangers to officers’ health when dealing with illegal grow houses and clandestine drug laboratories as well as potential long term concerns for future residents of these properties.

Illegal grow houses use an assortment of chemicals for fertilizers and to prevent pests and microorganisms from destroying their illicit crop. In addition to these chemicals being spilled and sprayed in the interior of these grow houses, some chemicals can also be absorbed by porous building materials and household furnishing. These grow houses also provide an ideal environment, due to the moisture and warm growing conditions, for mold to grow in these properties.

“Very often, illegal grow houses and clandestine drug laboratories operate in rental properties,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Future renters or property owners may have no idea of the prior use of toxic chemicals or of mold infestation that once occurred in these properties. In former clandestine methamphetamine laboratories the dangers can be especially dire due to the many highly toxic chemicals used in the production of meth. EMSL provides testing services to identify chemical residues and microbial contamination in these properties so that unwary future tenants or property owners are not faced with a toxic home,” he continued.

EMSL has sponsored an online video about the environmental dangers of clandestine drug laboratories that can be viewed at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfdbuOp00Fg

To learn more about indoor environmental testing services, or to request testing supplies, please visit www.EMSL.com, email info@EMSL.com or call (800) 220-3675.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc .
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com