How to use meth test kits

HOW TO USE THE KITS

Where to test

Before you start testing, we recommend putting up the testing templates in the areas you intend to sample and taking photos of template in place.

• Areas that should be tested
  • Kitchens
    • Above stoves near rangehoods/Extraction Vents
    • Walls or cupboards
    • We generally suggest taking 2 samples in a kitchen
  • Bathrooms
    • Near Extraction Vents
    • Walls
  • Lounge Areas
    • Air Conditioning of Heating Units
    • Walls
  • Bedrooms
    • Window Frames
    • Walls
  • Laundries
    • Window Frames
    • Near Extraction Vents
    • Walls

Factors to consider

Where not to test

• Dusty Surfaces
• Soft Furnishings and Fabrics
• Above cabinetry
• Flooring
• Contents unless explicitly asked to do so
• Recently replaced appliances – No need to test

Has the property been painted?

• Subsurface sampling – Scraping back top layer of paint
• Testing surfaces that haven’t been painted

How to take a sample

• Secure the testing template to the surface, adhering with tape or tac
• Remove the lid from the buffer solution and insert the cotton bud leaving in the solution for 10 seconds
• Using the side of the cotton bud, wipe the cotton bud over the surface within the 100cm2 template ensuring the whole area within the template has been thoroughly swabbed. Move the cotton bud between fingers, rotating to maximise the recovery.
• Wipe to cotton bud vertically around 20 times, then 20 horizontally repeating this process 3 times
• Immerse the cotton bud in the buffer solution bottle rotate the bud in the solution for 5 seconds. Remove the cotton bud and close the bottle, securing the lid tightly and shake for 20 seconds
• Remove the small blue cap on the bottle so it can be used as a dropper
• Remove the cassette from the wrapper and place on a level surface
• Apply 4 drops onto the “S” section of the cassette at 5 second intervals
• Wait until the red lines appear. Set a timer for 5 minutes, at this time you should have an accurate reading of the results. We suggest taking a photo of the cassette at this time as well as a photo of the sampling template surface for your records
• The results can then be interpreted based on the comparisons on the sampling template and with the control sample

How to take the control sample

• Immerse the cotton bud in the buffer solution bottle rotate the bud in the solution for 5 seconds. Remove the cotton bud and close the bottle, securing the lid tightly and shake for 20 seconds
• Remove the small blue cap on the bottle so it can be used as a dropper
• Remove the cassette from the wrapper and place on a level surface
• Apply 4 drops onto the “S” section of the cassette at 5 second intervals
• Wait until the red lines appear. Set a timer for 5 minutes, at this time you should have an accurate reading of the results. We suggest taking a photo of the cassette at this time as well as a photo of the sampling template surface for your records

DIY METH TESTING FORM

You can use this form to record your testing procedure and results