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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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:
