If you want a quick yes or no answer as to whether methamphetamine residue is present on a surface, this instant-result sampling kit meets that need. Each kit contains ten single-use NarcoScreen presumptive screening tests, supplied in Australia by Decon Systems.
Suitable for residential and commercial properties, vehicles, boats and any other confined structure.
Screening, Not Laboratory Testing
This is a presumptive screening test. It tells you whether residue appears to be present at or above the level the test is set to detect. It does not tell you how much residue there is, or which part of the property it came from.
In Australia, the national Clandestine Drug Laboratory Remediation Guidelines treat methamphetamine on internal surfaces at more than 0.5 micrograms per 100 cm² as unacceptable. Some states publish their own guidance, so check what applies where you work.
A screening result is not a clearance and is not a report an insurer, landlord or regulator will normally accept on its own. Where a screen is positive, or where a decision depends on the result, follow up with discrete samples analysed by an accredited laboratory.
Advantages of the NarcoScreen Property Screening Tests
- Very sensitive
- User friendly
- No hazardous chemicals
- Quick results (visual in 1–2 minutes)
- Highly cost-effective in comparison to laboratory screening
- Able to detect the presence of drugs in a sample at levels of 0.5 micrograms per 100 cm²
- Specificity, MMC FNT tests vs GC-GC/MS: negative 99.38%, positive 97.45% (manufacturer figures)
- No cross-contamination, as each test is supplied with a separate dropper of buffer solution (stick attached to cap)
- The NarcoScreen presumptive forensic narcotic tests are CE approved (as stated by the manufacturer)
Who Uses NarcoScreen Property Screening Kits
- Real estate agents
- Rentals
- Motels
- Apartments
- Commercial properties
- Landlords
- Property buyers
- Property managers
- Removal companies
- Vehicles
- Boats and marine
- Concerned parents
For cleaning and restoration contractors, the kit is most useful as a first check before quoting, and to decide whether a job needs to go to a licensed tester before any cleaning starts.
What is in the Kit
- 10 screening forensic tests for (meth)amphetamines
- 10 special buffer solution droppers
- 10 cotton swabs
- 10 templates
- 1 instruction sheet
- Supplied in a small brown cardboard box
Specifications
| Test type | Presumptive (screening) surface test for methamphetamine and amphetamines |
|---|---|
| Tests per kit | 10, single use |
| Detection level | 0.5 µg per 100 cm² |
| Result | Visual, in 1–2 minutes |
| Test manufacturer | MMC (Forensic Narcotic tests) |
| Australian supplier | Decon Systems |
| CCW SKU | DSMRKIT |
Getting a Reliable Screen
- Follow the instruction sheet in the kit exactly. The template is there to set the sampled area; a larger or smaller area changes what the result means.
- Sample surfaces that collect residue: high on walls, around ventilation, inside cupboards, and on horizontal surfaces that are not cleaned often.
- Use a new swab, dropper and test for each sample. Do not reuse any part of a test.
- Wear disposable gloves, and change them between samples.
- Record where each sample was taken and the result, and photograph the test and its location.
- Do not clean before screening. Cleaning first removes the evidence you are trying to find and can compromise later laboratory testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this result to clear a property?
No. It is a screening test only. Clearance after remediation normally requires laboratory analysis of discrete samples, carried out to the requirements of your state.
What should I do after a positive result?
Seek professional advice. Arrange discrete sampling analysed by an accredited laboratory to find the level and location of contamination before any remediation is quoted or started.
Does a negative result mean the property is clean?
It means the areas you sampled did not screen positive at the test's detection level. It does not cover areas you did not sample. If there is a reason to suspect contamination, test more areas or go to a laboratory.
What detection level does the test use?
0.5 micrograms per 100 cm², which matches the level used in the national Australian remediation guidelines.
Is a safety data sheet available?
Yes. The SDS for the buffer is linked below.
Important
NOTE: These kits are designed for screening testing only. Carpet Cleaners Warehouse suggests that for any positive screening results you should seek professional advice. Carpet Cleaners Warehouse holds no responsibility for results or use of the product.
Documents
Related: Meth Decontamination.
Not sure whether a job needs screening, laboratory testing or both? Contact us before you quote and we will point you in the right direction.
