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Evaluating screening test protocols to assess methamphetamine contamination in buildings
J E Dennison1, M Kim2, F Sancier-Barbosa2
1Century Environmental Hygiene, LLC, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Abstract:
In some states, the discovery of a building where methamphetamine (meth) has been manufactured (cooked) or used triggers a regulatory requirement to perform meth sampling, which may be costly due to the number of mandated samples. Less costly screening tests are sometimes conducted using fewer samples that are collected in a biased manner to minimize false negative (FN) results, but their accuracy has not been previously determined. In this study, results from two screening protocols used in Colorado were compared to results from the more comprehensive Colorado regulatory protocol. Using the results of the comprehensive protocol as the benchmark, the screening tests were evaluated for the frequency of false positive (FP) and FN results. The principal concern is a FN result, where a screening test indicates a lack of significant contamination and a comprehensive test indicates contamination above regulatory standards. Few FNs were found, and the degree of contamination above regulatory standards in those few cases was small. A threshold can be established for specific screening tests that trigger additional testing. Logistic regression was used to determine the FN rates for both screening tests with respect to a range of threshold concentrations. The analysis indicates that both screening tests had FN rates approaching 0% at a threshold lower than the regulatory standard. Location-specific and whole-house average meth concentrations were calculated to identify hotspots where meth concentrations tend to be higher than on other surfaces. Hotspots include kitchen fan/stove areas, bathroom exhaust fans, and furnace/ductwork systems, where concentrations exceed average house concentrations by 41-, 47-, and 17-fold, respectively. These data and analyses demonstrate that simplified and less costly sampling protocols can be a valid screening approach. A sampling protocol for meth screening tests is provided and includes aliquots from the hotspots with the highest concentrations.
Insights
Simplified meth screening tests accurately identify contamination in buildings. These less costly methods minimize false negatives and can be a valid approach for meth sampling, identifying hotspots for targeted testing.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Forensic Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Methamphetamine (meth) contamination in buildings necessitates regulatory sampling, which can be expensive.
- Current screening tests use fewer samples and biased collection to reduce costs and minimize false negatives (FN), but their accuracy is unproven.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of two less costly meth screening protocols compared to the comprehensive Colorado regulatory protocol.
- To determine the frequency of false positive (FP) and false negative (FN) results for the screening tests.
- To identify potential thresholds for screening tests to trigger further comprehensive testing.
Main Methods:
- Compared results from two Colorado screening protocols against the comprehensive regulatory protocol as the benchmark.
- Evaluated screening tests for FP and FN results, with a focus on FN occurrences.
- Utilized logistic regression to determine FN rates across various threshold concentrations.
- Calculated location-specific and whole-house average meth concentrations to identify contamination hotspots.
Main Results:
- Few false negatives (FN) were observed, and in those cases, contamination levels above regulatory standards were minimal.
- Both screening tests demonstrated FN rates approaching 0% when a threshold lower than the regulatory standard was applied.
- Identified specific hotspots for meth contamination, including kitchen fan/stove areas (41-fold increase), bathroom exhaust fans (47-fold increase), and furnace/ductwork systems (17-fold increase) compared to average house concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Simplified, less costly meth sampling protocols can serve as a valid screening approach for building contamination.
- Establishing appropriate thresholds for screening tests can effectively trigger additional, more comprehensive testing when necessary.
- A validated sampling protocol, including aliquots from identified hotspots, is proposed for effective meth screening.
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