Illegal clandestine drug laboratories are also known as 'clan labs'. They are sites where chemicals were used to make illegal drugs. Contamination at these sites can present risks to human health and the environment.
Property owners are responsible for the clean up of contamination at a clan lab. Local government environmental health officers (EHOs) are expected to enforce these cleanups.
EPA's Clandestine laboratory remediation practice note provides relevant advice to those investigating and/or remediating a clan lab site. This includes:
- owners of or agents for sites found to contain clan labs
- EHOs required to enforce cleanup of sites so that potential site contamination doesn't pose a public health risk.
Find out more about other public health issues related to pollution and waste
Climate, weather and public health
Contaminated land and public health
Environmental public health: EPA’s role
How to clean up mercury spills in your home
How to manage hazardous chemical waste and asbestos in your home
Reviewed 7 August 2020
