Researchers say passive exposure to meth contamination can cause "severe" health risks. Photo / 123rf
Methamphetamine contamination in Kiwi homes has risen significantly since a change in drug policy, with fears children’s health is being placed in peril.
A new report published today in the New Zealand Medical Journal and conducted by researchers from Unitec and the University of Waikato, found that a 2018 policy change to loosen the threshold for meth testing in residential properties is associated with a “substantial” increase in contamination of the drug in homes.
Lead author of the report, Dr Muhammad Irfan, told the Herald that Kiwis should be “very concerned” about the results of the research because it’s “directly affecting their health, especially the health of children”.
The report is calling on the Government to “revisit the policy change” so that “premature deaths, child maltreatment and healthcare costs can be reduced”.
New Zealand started testing residential properties for methamphetamine contamination in 2010 in acknowledgment of the risks of passive exposure to the drug. National standards and guidelines were set in 2016.
In May 2018, the threshold for testing was increased by 30 times from 0.5mcg/100sq cm to 15mcg/100sq cm, with the risk assessment committee indicating meth contamination levels below the new setting were “unlikely to pose a significant health risk”, according to the report.
The 2018 increase is significantly higher than the threshold in other developed countries such as the United States, Britain and Australia.
New Zealand started testing residential properties for methamphetamine contamination in 2010. Photo / 123rf
Irfan said the policy change was also made because of the cost and time needed for testing, and to “give people more housing”.
“We think this policy change may have increased the overall contamination level because people can be a little bit less vigilant or less concerned since a high contamination level is required for testing or for cleaning purposes.”
The report found “the policy change is associated with 1.92mcg/100sq cm higher meth contamination at residential properties in New Zealand, which will likely increase future healthcare costs”.
Irfan said people can be “severely impacted” by passive exposure to meth, especially children, with research showing links to respiratory and psychic diseases.
“Many researchers have found that higher levels of meth contamination, even if you are not a direct user, even passive exposure, can put severe harm on your health.
“Especially the health of the kids and children who are playing on the floor, touching the floor, putting their hands in their mouths.”
The report found the increase in residential contamination has “worryingly” coincided with a rise in meth consumption in New Zealand, with meth use climbing by 19% in 2023/24 compared with 2021/22, according to data from the New Zealand Drug Foundation.
Image / New Zealand Drug Foundation
Irfan said researchers will present their findings to the relevant stakeholders, including health officials and politicians.
