Field Screening Composite Considerations and Recommendations
A Field Screening Composite sample provides an indicative cumulative total. The Standard NZS8510 is referenced against discrete area by area individual sample results. The following recommendations are based on the likelihood a discrete individual area by area result may or may not exceed 1.5µg if further testing was undertaken.
No. Further testing is not required.
Is cleaning required?
No further action is necessary, provided the property has not been subject to recent redecoration and/or renovation.
Further testing would be primarily for peace of mind and to support focused cleaning options.
Can the property be tenanted?
We suggest you discuss the results with the tenant to deter further meth related activity in the property. If you wish to reduce risk, discrete area by area sampling may be consideration.
No. Further testing is not required.
Is cleaning required?
No further action is necessary, provided the property has not been subject to recent redecoration and/or renovation.
Further testing would be primarily for peace of mind and to support focused cleaning options.
Can the property be tenanted?
We suggest you discuss the results with the tenant to deter further meth related activity in the property. If you wish to reduce risk, discrete area by area sampling may be consideration.
Further testing is a consideration
What type of testing?
Discrete area by area individual sampling is a consideration to confirm meth residues in all individual areas are less than 1.5µg/100cm².
Discrete area by area individual sampling is also recommended before redecoration and/or if the property is being prepared for sale.
What happens if meth residues in one area exceeds 1.5µg/100cm²
Discrete individual sampling involves one test kit to take one sample and complies with NIOSH 9111 and NZS8510. This method of sampling provides a more accurate reflection of the meth status in each area.
Retesting is required following decontamination.
- Investment property:
A rental property may be considered uninhabitable under the RTA 1986 if the level of meth residue in any one individual area exceeds 1.5µg/100cm² - Owner/occupied property:
It is a personal decision whether you wish to undertake decontamination as the recommendations in Standard NZS8510 are voluntary
How much do discrete area by area individual samples cost?
Costs start at $990.00 plus GST to sample an average size 3-bedroom property.
Further testing is a strongly recommended
What type of testing?
Discrete area by area individual sampling is recommended to identify the meth residues levels in all individual areas, and to determine the area/s that may exceed 1.5µg/100cm².
Discrete area by area individual sampling is also recommended before redecoration and/or if the property is being prepared for sale.
What happens if meth residues in one area exceeds 1.5µg/100cm²
Discrete individual sampling involves one test kit to take one sample and complies with NIOSH 9111 and NZS8510. This method of sampling provides a more accurate reflection of the meth status in each area.
Retesting is required following decontamination.
- Investment property:
A rental property may be considered uninhabitable under the RTA 1986 if the level of meth residue in any one individual area exceeds 1.5µg/100cm² - Owner/occupied property:
It is a personal decision whether you wish to undertake decontamination as the recommendations in Standard NZS8510 are voluntary
How much do discrete area by area individual samples cost?
Costs start at $1,200.00 plus GST to sample an average size 3-bedroom property.
Is further testing required?
Further testing is strongly recommended
What type of testing?
Discrete area by area individual samples are strongly recommended as part of a detailed Contaminated Site Inspection [CSI] to establish how many areas require professional decontamination.
A Contaminated Site Inspection is detailed and includes:
Discrete area by area individual tests and development of a Remediation Action Plan [RAP] and recording a walk-through video.
What happens if meth residues in one area exceeds 1.5µg/100cm²
Discrete area by area individual sampling involves one test to take one sample and complies with NIOSH 9111 and NZS8510.
At these levels, it is highly likely the level of meth residue in at least one individual room will exceed 1.5µg/100cm². Retesting is required following decontamination.
- Investment property:
A rental property may be considered uninhabitable under the RTA 1986 if the level of meth residue in any one individual area exceeds 1.5µg/100cm² - Owner/occupied property:
It is a personal decision whether you wish to undertake decontamination as the recommendations in Standard NZS8510 are voluntary
How much does a Contaminated Site Inspection cost?
Costs start at $1,800 plus GST depending on the size of the property and other factors.
Further testing is a consideration.
What type of testing?
Sub-surface testing is a consideration to reduce risk and increase certainty.
Is there meth residue under the refurbishment?
This will rule out any historical meth issues under the refurbishment.
If a property has been subject to recent extensive cleaning, redecoration, painting and/or renovation it is possible meth residue is under the refurbishment.
Reference:
Click here for a copy of the Government Standard NZS8510
In summary:
NZS8510 contains the following post decontamination recommendations for any one discrete area by area individual sample:
- 1.5 μg/100cm² in high use areas – areas of a property frequently used by people)
- 3.8 μg/100cm² in low use areas – roof spaces and crawl spaces
