Jenn Friberg and Rob Quigley bought their first home, a lovely century-old four bedroom house outside Philadelphia, for less than $200,000 earlier this year. What they didn't know at the time is that the house used to be a meth factory. After they moved in, Quigley got wind of the home's previous use from neighbors and confirmed it on the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's National Clandestine Laboratory Registry. That explained the frosted windows, and also why the couple was suffering from headaches, sore throats, and breathing problems since moving in. Friberg and Quigley can't afford the $25,000 cost to clean up the mess and are now staying with family. They're posting about their experience on a blog, Our Meth House, and also seeking financial help to get the place decontaminated. From CNN:
There is nothing in Pennsylvania's state disclosure laws that specifically addresses having knowledge of meth labs, said Henry Lerner of the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors."The law does not have a question about meth labs for the seller disclosure form," Lerner said, adding that there are broader questions that refer to knowledge of hazardous substances or environmental concerns…
Friberg and Quigley contracted Bio-Clean of New Jersey, a blood-borne pathogen cleaning and crime scene restoration company, to test the house for methamphetamine.
Six rooms were tested, and five swabs tested positive for low levels of methamphetamine. The highest concentrations were found in the master bedroom, where it is presumed meth was being smoked, and the basement, where it is thought the meth was cooked, according to Bio-Clean's results.
The highest level found in the couple's home was 0.3 microgram. In Colorado, 0.1 microgram is considered safe while 0.5 is considered to be dangerous, leading some homes to be deemed uninhabitable, (Bio-Clean CEO Andrew) Yurchuck said.
"Couple's first home is a meth house"
