International Association of Certified Home Inspectors

Michael R. Boyett · #16 8/4/08, 9:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacaron

What will be an average charge to our clients for each test?? Any feedback??

You should charge enough to cover your liability if a false positive or a false negative results in a disgruntled Seller or Buyer. Or don't offer this as an inspection ancillary service but rather a stand-alone, after the inspection service. Personally, I will wait for the "U.S. Homeland Security National Lab"...,whatever that is, to certify a kit like this before using it. Don't get me wrong, I do like the idea of such a test kit but it better be as fool-proof as reasonably possible.

kpauly · #17 8/4/08, 9:45 PM

Hi John... The kit is going to detect any of the 6 narcotics with the test. I know the primary test is for Meth, however the rest are just as important. With each test kit, you can swab all the light switches, interior door handles, and a few random spots. The limiting factor to the test is the amount of buffer solution in each kit. The swab wets the surface you swab to release the traces of narcotics. If we swab to many times or to hard, we won't have enough solution to test with... I have done a 1800 sq ft home with one kit. That is all I would suggest, use 2 for larger homes.

kpauly · #18 8/4/08, 9:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mboyett

You should charge enough to cover your liability if a false positive or a false negative results in a disgruntled Seller or Buyer. Or don't offer this as an inspection ancillary service but rather a stand-alone, after the inspection service. Personally, I will wait for the "U.S. Homeland Security National Lab"...,whatever that is, to certify a kit like this before using it. Don't get me wrong, I do like the idea of such a test kit but it better be as fool-proof as reasonably possible.

This test should be used only as a preliminary test... The test is extremely accurate. Our lab testing showed it nearly impossible to adulterate (hide the drugs) or trick it into a false positive. If you find a positive result, refer the client to an environmental engineer to review further.

The USHS Nat Lab is the lab that reviews technology for US Customs and Border Protection. The technology has been tested and proven by a lab, our government has it's own rules and labs to certify technologies in review. It is just one of the many hoops to jump through to give our troops better equipment.

kpauly · #19 8/4/08, 10:08 PM

To give an example of how this technology works in the field... Our first test done for a law enforcement agency was with a local police station. We asked the K9 officer to handle the dog training toys (each one has a different drug to train the dog to smell them) that he had in his truck. After a few minutes he came back into the office. I asked for his license. I swabbed his license where his thumb print was. Off of the thumb print, I identified the 3 narcotics he had handled in less than 5 minutes, with the one kit. The officers in the meeting had never seen anything like it.... In the home inspection, we are looking for the fingerprints that contain the traces of drugs.

Michael R. Boyett · #20 8/4/08, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpauly

The USHS Nat Lab is the lab that reviews technology for US Customs and Border Protection.

Kris, excuse my skepticism but I find no reference to such a lab at the Homeland Security website nor the Customs & Border Protection website. Can you be more specific as to exactly which federal lab is analyzing your product please?

Quote:

Our lab testing showed it nearly impossible to adulterate (hide the drugs) or trick it into a false positive.

Of course it did

Quote:

If you find a positive result, refer the client to an environmental engineer to review further.

It's too late at that point...the 'damage' is done. I would think many Buyer's would simply walk at hearing of a positive meth response.

kpauly · #21 8/4/08, 10:33 PM

HI Michael... Unfortunately, you wont find the lab listed on any website. Most Federal and State Agencies have labs either internal or contracted to verify technologies they are interested in using. To prevent these labs from being bombarded with new products, they do not post this information publicly. (We were invited to present to the research lab the technology, which I did in DC several weeks ago). I met with the head of the department, and She said she would have the results by Sept 1. I apologize for not being able to disclose the names of the agents I am working with...

When I refer to our lab, I am refering to the independent lab that reviewed the technology. If it didn't work, I honestly would not be here wasting your or my time.

You may be right about the damage being done. However, seeing the perminent damage done to children from the remains of a meth house, it is 'damage' I can live with.

Michael R. Boyett · #22 8/5/08, 12:26 AM

....

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpauly

HI Michael... Unfortunately, you wont find the lab listed on any website. Most Federal and State Agencies have labs either internal or contracted to verify technologies they are interested in using. To prevent these labs from being bombarded with new products, they do not post this information publicly. (We were invited to present to the research lab the technology, which I did in DC several weeks ago). I met with the head of the department, and She said she would have the results by Sept 1. I apologize for not being able to disclose the names of the agents I am working with...
Fair enough & I have not & would not ask you to divulge any agent's names. I do hope you get approval from that contracted lab and can share the results from their analysis when you get it.

When I refer to our lab, I am refering to the independent lab that reviewed the technology. If it didn't work, I honestly would not be here wasting your or my time. That may or may not be true. Honest answers to honest questions and full disclosure will go a long way in gaining trust & credibility. You seem to be doing just that.

You may be right about the damage being done. However, seeing the perminent damage done to children from the remains of a meth house, it is 'damage' I can live with. Well, maybe you can live with it but I cannot accept a false positive. You're statement assumes your kit is 100% accurate every time. Perhaps the contracted lab results will bolster your claims. I do hope so as I'd like to use your product.

Dale Duffy · #23 8/5/08, 12:38 AM

Kris,

Nice too meet you.

I do commercial inspections throughout the Phoenix area, Hotels, Multi-Family, etc.

Could you call me tomorrow please?

I would like some additional information regarding your product.

Thanks,

Dale

dcook1 · #24 8/5/08, 12:53 AM

Will this be available in Canada? To ship by courier over the border regularly will cost a whack of extra money.

Nick Gromicko · #25 8/5/08, 12:53 AM

Dale, give Russell Spriggs a call too. After he told me his story, I believe that every home should be tested for meth. Russell had to be taken to a hospital on an inspection where it was shown later to be a former meth lab.

Nick Gromicko · #26 8/5/08, 12:56 AM

Meth contamination does not diminish over time.

Dale Duffy · #27 8/5/08, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gromicko

Dale, give Russell Spriggs a call too. After he told me his story, I believe that every home should be tested for meth. Russell had to be taken to a hospital on an inspection where it was shown later to be a former meth lab.

10-4 Nick..I was just thinking about Russ.

Thanks.