Utah Admin. Code R392-600 § R392-600-6
Confirmation Sampling and Decontamination Standards.
Operative Text
R392-600-6. Confirmation Sampling and Decontamination Standards.
(1)(a) The decontamination specialist shall conduct confirmation sampling after decontamination to verify that
concentrations are below the decontamination standards before the submittal of a final report.
(b) Samples are not required if a contaminated surface has been removed and replaced, unless there is evidence that the
area has been re-contaminated.
(c) Each decontaminated area and material, area not contaminated, and surface that has not been removed shall be
sampled for compliance with the standards in Table 1.
(2) If the decontamination standards are not achieved, the decontamination specialist or owner of record shall perform
additional decontamination and the decontamination specialist shall re-sample to confirm the surface or area meets the
decontamination standards specified in Table 1.
Table 1
Compound Decontamination Standard
Removal of stained material or cleaned as
Red Phosphorus specified in this rule such that there is no
remaining visible residue
Removal of stained material or cleaned as
Iodine Crystals specified in this rule such that there is no
remaining visible residue
Less than or equal to 1.0 microgram
Methamphetamine Methamphetamine per 100 square
centimeters
VOCs in Air Less than or equal to 1 ppm
Corrosives Surface pH between 6 and 8
Less than or equal to 0.1 microgram
Ecstasy
Ecstasy per 100 square centimeters
(3)(a) The decontamination specialist or owner of record shall conduct sampling and testing for each of the metals
listed in Table 2 unless there is clear evidence that these metals were not used in the illegal drug operations.
(b) If any Table 2 contaminant is present, the decontamination specialist or owner of record shall decontaminate the
affected area and the decontamination specialist shall sample to confirm the surface or area meets the decontamination standards
in Table 2.
Table 2
Compound Decontamination Standard
Less than or equal to 4.3 micrograms Lead per
Lead
100 square centimeters
Less than or equal to 3.0 micrograms Mercury
Mercury
per cubic meter of air
(4)(a) The decontamination specialist or owner of record shall ensure that confirmation sampling procedures are
conducted in accordance with this rule.
(b) Each sample location shall be photographed.
(c) Each sample shall be obtained from an area representative of the material or surface being tested.
(d) Each ample shall be collected from a material or surface using wipe samples and shall be biased toward areas
where contamination is suspected or confirmed or was known to be present before decontamination.
(e) Each sample shall be obtained, preserved, handled, and maintained under chain-of-custody protocol in accordance
with industry standards for the type of sample and analytical testing to be conducted.
(f) The individual conducting the sampling shall wear a new pair of gloves to obtain each sample.
(g) Each piece of reusable sampling equipment shall be decontaminated before sampling.
(h) Each piece of testing equipment shall be properly equipped and calibrated for the types of compounds to be
analyzed.
(i) Cotton gauze, 3" x 3" 12-ply or 4" x 4" 8-ply, in sterile packages, shall be used for each wipe sampling. The cotton
gauze shall be:
(i) wetted with analytical grade methanol for the wipe sampling; and
(ii) blotted or wiped at least five times in two perpendicular directions within each sampling area.
(j) After sampling, each wipe sample shall be placed, and capped tightly, in a new clean sample container that is:
(i) not a plastic bag;
(ii) properly labeled with at least the:
(A) site or project identification number;
(B) date;
(C) time; and
(D) sample location; and
(iii) refrigerated until delivered to an analytical laboratory.
(k) Each sample shall be analyzed for methamphetamine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and ecstasy, depending upon
the type of illegal drug operation, using the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Manual of Analytical Method
(NMAM) 9106, 9109 or 9111 or equivalent method approved by the Utah Department of Health.
(l) A grab sample or composite sample is allowed for confirmation sampling of a contaminated area.
(m) Three 10 cm. x 10 cm. areas, 100 square centimeters, shall be wipe sampled from each room of the property where
an illegal drug operation occurred, hazardous material was stored, and where staining or contamination is or was present. The
three samples shall be obtained from a non-porous section of the floor, one wall, and the ceiling in each room or any other
location where contamination is suspected.
(n) Three 10 cm. x 10 cm. areas, 100 square centimeters, shall be wipe sampled from different areas of the ventilation
system, unless the system serves more than one unit or structure. If the system serves more than one unit or structure, samples
shall be collected from a representative distribution of the system as well as the corresponding areas that it serves until the
contamination is delineated, decontaminated, and determined to be below the decontamination standards established in this rule.
(o) If there is a kitchen, three 10 cm. x 10 cm. areas, 100 square centimeters, shall be wipe sampled from any surface
most likely to be contaminated including the counter top, sink, or stove top, and from the floor in front of the stove top or any
other location where contamination is suspected.
(p) If there is a bathroom, three 10 cm. x 10 cm. areas, 100 square centimeters, shall be wipe sampled from any surface
most likely to be contaminated including the counter top, sink, toilet, shower, or bath tub and any other location where
contamination is suspected.
(q) If there are any appliances, one 10 cm. x 10 cm. area, 100 square centimeters, shall be wipe sampled from the
exposed portion of each appliance. If multiple appliances are present, each wipe sample may be a composite of up to three 100
square centimeter areas on three separate appliances, provided that the surfaces most likely to be contaminated are tested.
(r) If there is any other enclosed space where an illegal drug operation occurred, hazardous material was stored, or
where staining or contamination is present, three 10 cm. x 10 cm. areas, 100 square centimeters, shall be wipe sampled from the
surfaces most likely to be contaminated.
(5)(a) The decontamination specialist and owner of record shall ensure that VOC sampling and testing is conducted in
accordance with this rule.
(b) A properly calibrated PID or FID capable of detecting VOCs shall be used for testing.
(c) The background concentration of VOCs shall be obtained by testing three exterior areas outside the areas of
contamination and in areas with no known or suspected sources of VOCs. All VOC readings shall be recorded for each sample
location.
(d) At least three locations in areas of contamination shall be tested for VOC readings. The testing equipment probe
shall be held in the sample location for at least 30 seconds to obtain a reading.
(e) Each accessible plumbing trap shall be tested for VOCs by holding the testing equipment probe in the plumbing
pipe above the trap for at least 60 seconds.
(6)(a) The decontamination specialist and owner of record shall ensure that testing for corrosives is conducted in
accordance with this rule.
(b) Each surface pH measurement shall be made using deionized water and pH test strips with a visual indication for a
pH between 6 and 8. The pH reading shall be recorded for each sample location.
(c) For any horizontal surface, deionized water shall be applied to the surface and allowed to stand for at least three
minutes. The pH test strip shall then be placed in the water for a minimum of 30 seconds and read.
(d) For any vertical surface, a cotton gauze, 3" x 3" 12-ply or 4" x 4" 8-ply in a sterile package, shall be wetted with
deionized water and wiped over a 10 cm. x 10 cm. area at least five times in two perpendicular directions. The cotton gauze shall
then be placed into a clean sample container and covered with clean deionized water. The cotton gauze and water shall stand in
the container for at least three minutes before testing. The pH test strip shall then be placed in the water for a minimum of 30
seconds and read.
(e) pH testing shall be conducted on at least three locations in each room within the areas of contamination.
(7)(a) The decontamination specialist and owner of record shall ensure that, unless there is clear evidence that lead was
not used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine or ecstasy at the illegal drug operation, lead sampling shall be conducted as
follows:
(i) Cotton gauze, 3" x 3" 12-ply or 4" x 4" 8-ply, in a sterile package shall be used for wipe sampling.
(ii) The cotton gauze shall be wetted with analytical grade 3 per cent nanograde nitric acid for the wipe sampling.
(iii) The cotton gauze shall be blotted or wiped at least five times in two perpendicular directions within each sampling
area.
(iv) Three 10 cm. x 10 cm. areas, 100 square centimeters, shall be sampled in each room within the areas of
contamination.
(b) After sampling, each wipe sample shall be placed, and capped tightly, in a new clean sample container that is:
(i) properly labeled with:
(A) at least the site or project identification number;
(B) date;
(C) time; and
(D) the actual sample location; and
(ii) delivered to an analytical laboratory that uses EPA Method 6010B or an equivalent method approved by the Utah
Department of Health.
(c) The sample shall be analyzed for lead using EPA Method 6010B or equivalent.
(8)(a) The decontamination specialist and owner of record shall ensure that sampling and testing for mercury is in
accordance with this rule.
(b) A properly calibrated mercury vapor analyzer shall be used for evaluating the decontaminated areas for the
presence of mercury. Each mercury reading shall be recorded for each sample location.
(c) At least three locations in each room within the areas of contamination shall be tested for mercury vapor readings.
The testing equipment probe shall be held in the sample location for at least 30 seconds to obtain a reading.
(d) Each accessible plumbing trap shall be tested for mercury by holding the testing equipment probe in the plumbing
pipe above the trap for at least 60 seconds.
(9)(a) The decontamination specialist and owner of record shall ensure that testing and sampling of a septic tank is
done in accordance with current EPA sampling and testing protocol.
(b) The liquid in the septic tank shall be sampled with a new clean bailer or similar equipment.
(c) The liquid shall be decanted or poured with minimal turbulence into three new VOA vials properly prepared by the
analytical laboratory.
(d) The VOA vials shall be:
(i) filled so that there are no air bubbles in the sealed container. If air bubbles are present, the vial must be emptied and
refilled;
(ii) properly labeled with at least the date, time, and sample location; and
(iii) refrigerated until delivered to the analytical laboratory;
(e) The sample shall be analyzed using EPA Method 8260 or equivalent.
(11) The local health department may conduct confirmation sampling after decontamination is completed and after the
final report is submitted to verify that the property has been decontaminated to the standards outlined in this rule.Utah Admin. Code R392-600-6 establishes the technical standards that must be met before a property formerly used for illegal drug manufacturing can be cleared for reoccupancy. After decontamination work is completed, a licensed decontamination specialist must collect and analyze samples from specified surfaces, rooms, ventilation systems, and appliances to confirm that residual contaminants—including methamphetamine, ecstasy, lead, mercury, VOCs, and corrosives—fall below the numeric thresholds set out in Tables 1 and 2. If any area fails to meet those thresholds, additional cleaning and re-sampling are required before a final report may be submitted. The local health department retains independent authority to conduct its own confirmation sampling after the final report is filed.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners or managers overseeing remediation of a former drug-operation site should be aware that R392-600-6 places joint responsibility on both the owner of record and the decontamination specialist to ensure sampling protocols are followed. Compliant operators typically retain a licensed decontamination specialist, confirm that all required room-by-room, ventilation, and appliance samples are collected and documented under chain-of-custody procedures, and verify that results meet Table 1 and Table 2 standards before accepting a final report. Owners should also anticipate that the local health department may independently verify compliance after the final report is submitted.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
R392-600-6 sets enforceable decontamination standards that a property must meet before it can be considered safe following illegal drug manufacturing activity. Tenants who have concerns about whether a unit was properly tested and cleared may request documentation of the confirmation sampling results and the final decontamination report. Those with unresolved concerns can contact their local health department, which has authority under this rule to conduct independent confirmation sampling, or reach out to a tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 19, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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