Lincoln Davis Pushes Meth Clean-up Bill in HouseMarch 17, 2005

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis announced the House Science Committee has cleared the way for final House consideration of legislation calling for the development of health-based guidelines for the clean up of former meth labs. The Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2005, co-sponsored by Rep. Davis, a member of the Committee, received unanimous committee approval.

"Public health, public safety, and consumer protection is what this bill is all about. It makes great strides toward protecting the health and well being of the innocent victims of meth abuse, which in most cases are children," Davis said. "This bill will save lives."

In testimony before the committee during a hearing on the meth remediation bill, Dr. Robert Bell, President, TN Tech said, "Unfortunately, a baseline definition of what 'clean' is, in terms of remediating labs, is not available. Research at the university level is needed to develop that definition. Fundamental research describing what 'clean' really is must happen now."

Citing a recent example of the complications associated with former meth sites, Davis said a young couple recently bought a house in White County, not knowing it had been the site of a lab. "She told me there was fuzzy stuff growing out of the light sockets. They've got a mortgage on the house and were forced to move due to the health effects and excessive cost associated with the clean-up. This legislation would help them have a better understanding of how to proceed in decontaminating their house and possibly making it livable again."

Last year in Tennessee, more than 700 children were taken from homes where meth was being produced and placed into state custody. Tennessee ranked third nationally in meth seizures and arrests in DEA estimates for 2004.