by Amy Coleman, Staff Writer
After moving in on June 2012,
Jonathan began experiencing extreme dry mouth.
His wife, Beth, also developed dry mouth and sores. Their two year old son, Ezra, had symptoms of
unusual behavior and complaining he was thirsty. And, as iScienceTimes.com
reported, Ezra could not drink water without being in pain.
The Illinois Department of Public
Health has reported that exposure to meth residue may cause symptoms like those
experienced by drug users such as high energy, rapid speech and breathing,
increased body temperature, increased blood pressure, severe depression,
paranoia, insomnia, loss of appetite, delusions, tremors, hallucinations, and violent behavior.
Exposure to volatile organic chemicals
used in the manufacture of the drug may cause nose and throat irritation,
headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, breathing difficulties, and
even cancer. Acids or bases may cause
burning on the skin and in mucous membranes, and severe eye damage. Exposure to
metals or chemical salts also used in the making process can cause respiratory
irritation, decreased mental function, anemia, kidney damage, and birth
defects.
Jonathan Hankins’ family made
national news when, after developing a series of strange and painful ailments,
they discovered that their home was previously used as a methamphetamine
laboratory.
 |
| © Jonathan Hawkins/CBS |
The shock of their lives came when a neighbor
finally told them that a meth lab used to be operated in their home.
The couple promptly purchased a testing kit
and the results were methamphetamine and other chemicals more than 80 times the
legal limit, as reported by iScienceTimes.com
As part of the purchase disclosure, Freddie
Mac (the prior owner) provided a warning for asbestos and lead. However, the couple reported to iScienceTimes
that they did not receive such a warning regarding a meth lab.
CBSNews received a statement from a
spokesperson for Freddie Mac announcing the company’s empathy to the family and
expressing that if they had known about the prior lab they would have
disclosed. Also,
the company said the buyers could have ordered an inspection or conducted tests
on the property prior to purchasing.
In fact, the couple did not have a
traditional inspection completed. They have, however, told iScienceTimes that
it would not have made much of difference because it is an invisible toxin.
Some may be quick to condemn Freddie
Mac, but an interview with Joe Mazzuca of Meth Lab Cleanup company conducted by
iScienceTimes revealed that there could be as many as 2.5 million
meth-contaminated houses in the U.S. Indicators of meth contamination are not
always apparent because the meth residue is not always visible, he said.
 |
| No coffee grounds for the french press? Try some meth tar. © Jonathan Hawkins/CBS |
Currently 23 states have laws
requiring disclosure regarding prior drug labs on a property including Oregon. Most states with such laws are out west,
according to methlabcleanup.com. The
only states near the east coast that do are Indiana, Kentucky, and West
Virginia. Pennsylvania buyers of
property are advised to be vigilant for these occurrences and thoroughly
investigate all foreclosure purchases as they are usually sold “as is” or in
the existing condition without modification, which relieves the seller form
liability for defects in that condition.
States have now begun to compile
lists of former meth labs. (Find
Your State's List By
Clicking Here)
According
to the National Clandestine Laboratory Register,
a database compiled by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the
only prior drug labs listed in the Pittsburgh area are:
•
250 AVENUE A, FOREST HILLS PA
•
437 HICKMAN AVENUE, BRIDGEVILLE PA
•
2816 CHESTER STREET, MCKEESPORT PA
•
987 DIANE DRIVES, NORTH VERSAILLES
PA
•
443 ALTHEA ST, PITTSBURGH PA
•
5615 CAMELIA STREET, PITTSBURGH PA
•
164 LITTLE DEER CREEK RD, RURAL
RIDGE PA
