Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is a schedule II prescription drug, and it is typically used to treat patients with severe pain or to manage pain after surgery. It is also sometimes used to treat patients with chronic pain who are physically tolerant to other opioids. In its prescription form, fentanyl is known by such names as Actiq®, Duragesic®, and Sublimaze®. Street names for fentanyl or for fentanyl-laced heroin include Apache, China Girl, China White, Dance Fever, Friend, Goodfella, Jackpot, Murder 8, TNT, and Tango and Cash.

1. When prescribed by a physician, fentanyl is often administered via injection, transdermal patch, or in lozenges. However, the fentanyl and fentanyl analogs associated with recent overdoses are produced in clandestine laboratories.

2. This non-pharmaceutical fentanyl is sold in the following forms: as a powder; spiked on blotter paper; mixed with or substituted for heroin; or as tablets that mimic other, less potent opioids. People can swallow, snort, or inject fentanyl, or they can put blotter paper in their mouths so that fentanyl is absorbed through the mucous membrane. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)

3. Fentanyl is being cut into heroin and fentanyl laced pills pills are being illegally manufactured in clandestine drug labs and sold as prescription pain medications, such as oxycodone and alprazolam (Xanax), and often also contain heroin.

Many inhalation, dermal, and ocular exposure guidelines (IDLH, AEGLs, TLVs) have not been established for fentanyls. In the absence of these exposure values, the US EPA has developed a Fact Sheet Guide with recommendations on site safety until appropriate OSHA / NIOSH exposure limits are established. EPA states that appropriate, controls, PPE and inhalation safeguards used for dusts and particulates should be employed. NOTE: Both Levels B and C “modified” to include a taped or hooded chemical-resistant suit, with no exposed skin. Downgrading PPE levels can be considered only when the contaminant identity, concentration and the risks of exposure are known, and must be accompanied by on-site monitoring. Decontamination specialists should assume all particulates are fentanyl.

Currently, no federal or state preliminary testing or decontamination standards have been established for fentanyl contamination. In addition, there are no regulations governing the assessment or decontamination of fentanyl laboratories although many states do regulate clandestine drug labs, in general. The California County of Orange has one of the first protocols for fentanyl contaminated properties: Criteria for the Assessment and Remediation of Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratories, effective January 1, 2020. The purpose of this protocol is to protect residents from adverse health effects that could result from exposure to the highly toxic opioid fentanyl and various fentanyl analogues (carfentanyl, acetylfentanyl, etc.). Fentanyl exposure can possibly occur by inhalation, ingestion, injection, and dermal uptake causing depression of the respiratory system with a fatal dose as low as 2 mg (or less for analogues).

Upon notification of fentanyl used or believed to be used in an illicit operation, the property or unit should be considered to be a chemically contaminated property and the property should be posted to restrict access in accordance with the procedures in outlined for clandestine drug lab/methamphetamine lab properties in order to protect public health.

As the responsible party, the property owner of record should be contacted as soon as reasonably possible and informed of the situation and requirements for mitigation. The general framework of the process for the cleanup and decontamination of the fentanyl contaminated property should be established by an experienced, certified clandestine drug lab decontamination company. The dwelling should be considered unsafe for human occupancy until post decontamination sampling and analysis demonstrates the property is fit for use. The posting restricting any unauthorized access (if applicable) to the property should only be removed after it has been deemed safe by an industrial hygienist with familiarity and experience with fentanyl lab sampling and clearance requirements.

Meth Lab Cleanup Company is leads the industry in the testing and remediation of fentanyl contaminated properties.