September 3, 2009

Mopping up the grow-ops

Tang Lee holds sample of the types of mould found in grow-op houses. / Photo: Meghan Sired

With the number of marijuana grow-ops and methamphetamine labs rising across Canada, an investigation by University of Calgary researchers on behalf of the Alberta Real Estate Association will soon offer guidelines for cleaning up former illegal drug houses.

“Currently there are no consistent remediation standards in place for mould or air quality in properties previously used as marijuana grow-ops or other drug operations,” says Bill Fowler, director of industry and government relations for the Alberta Real Estate Association. “We want our clients to know that the home they are buying is safe. This project should help create minimum acceptable remediation standards province-wide. We intend to propose these guidelines to government as a means to assure Albertans that properties previously used as illegal drug operations are safe for habitation.”

Faculty of Environmental Design professor Tang Lee, an internationally recognized expert in building failure and indoor air quality investigations, led the project, which was partially funded by the Alberta Real Estate Foundation. Along with reducing potential health risks to future occupants of these former drug houses, Lee says the recommendations will help improve decision-making, lower costs and reduce the likelihood of legal action arising from these properties. Lee and his associate, Karen Rollins, investigated six former grow-op homes in Calgary and area looking mainly for structural alterations, mould and electrical problems.

“Adoption of these recommendations will help protect homeowners, tenants, and prospective buyers in Alberta from indoor contaminants caused by illegal drug operations,” says Lee. “We hope to facilitate a cohesive rehabilitation process.”

If adopted by the province, the recommendations will help standardize the rehabilitation of former grow-ops. But the process isn’t cheap. It’s estimated that the typical cost of remediation to be $25,000 to $30,000. In 2003 and 2004, 78 grow-op homes in Calgary were condemned because toxic mould made them too hazardous to live in. Illegal grow-ops also steal millions of dollars in electricity each year.

Lee says that though this investigation and the resulting recommendations will help protect the consumer, only thorough inspection of suspicious rental properties by landlords and the police can help reduce illegal drug activity.

Last year alone, the Southern Alberta Marijuana Investigative Team received more than 500 tips about possible marijuana grow-ops.