Drug contamination · Tennessee
Meth and fentanyl residue cleanup (use sites)
Testing-guided cleanup of homes and apartments where methamphetamine or fentanyl was smoked or used. This page does not cover quarantined former meth labs.
What this involves
Smoking methamphetamine leaves residue on walls, ceilings, HVAC returns and soft furnishings. Fentanyl use can leave powder residue on counters and nearby surfaces. Neither is visible reliably, so the work is guided by surface wipe sampling before and after cleaning.
Why professional remediation matters
Residue from drug use can be absorbed through skin contact and transferred to children, pets and the next tenant. Cleaning without sampling gives no evidence the unit is safe, which matters to landlords, housing authorities and buyers.
What we do not do
New Dawn does not perform cleanup of properties quarantined as former meth manufacturing sites. Those require a contractor approved by TDEC.
What to avoid before help arrives
- Do not repaint over residue. Paint does not reliably seal meth residue and makes later testing harder.
- Do not dry-sweep or vacuum suspected fentanyl powder with a household vacuum.
- If you suspect the property was used to make meth rather than use it, call law enforcement. Manufacture sites are handled under a separate state process.
How the work is done
- Status check. We confirm with the owner and TDEC records that the property is not under a meth-lab quarantine.
- Sampling. Surface wipe samples are taken in each area to find where residue is concentrated.
- Cleaning. Surfaces are cleaned with detergent-based wet methods; porous items and carpet that cannot be cleaned are removed.
- HVAC. Returns and accessible ductwork are addressed, since they spread residue between rooms.
- Clearance sampling. Areas are re-sampled after cleaning, and results are reported to the owner.
Waste handling
Waste from a use site is generally handled differently from a manufacture site, which can involve hazardous chemicals. We confirm the disposal route for each job.
Afterward
Clearance results give the owner a written record of the condition of the unit before re-occupancy.
Rules that apply in Tennessee
- Tennessee meth-contaminated property program T.C.A. 68-212-501 et seq.; TDEC Division of Remediation · checked 2026-11-03
- OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134 · checked 2026-11-03
Where we provide this service
Throughout our Middle Tennessee service area, including:
Related
- Blood cleanup
- Meth contamination in Tennessee: use sites versus former labs
- What Middle Tennessee landlords should know about biohazard incidents
- What property managers should put in a biohazard response plan
- Needles and sharps found on your property: what to do
- Fentanyl exposure: myths and facts for property owners
Questions
Does Tennessee require a certified contractor for meth cleanup?
For property quarantined because meth was manufactured there, yes: only a TDEC-approved contractor can clean it. The quarantine law is tied to manufacture, not use. Always check quarantine status first.
Is there a legal cleanup standard for fentanyl?
Tennessee has a meth cleanup standard for quarantined sites but no equivalent fentanyl standard. We work to non-detect on clearance samples.
This page is general information, not legal, medical, or insurance advice. Requirements change; verify with the agency listed before acting.