A few years ago, I lived in a “prime park slope” brownstone apartment–on carroll street, between 8th avenue and prospect park west. There was a neighbor in one of the ground floor apartments who I can only describe as “twitchy” and “tweaky.” He was a drawn, agitated Russian guy who always looked paranoid. It gets worse. Repeatedly, there were very, very strong chemical odors–what smelled like an industrial strength amount of nail polish remover–coming from his apartment. He actually claimed to have “spilled nail polish remover,” but the smell was on the level of industrial toxicity, and happened constantly. Finally, after unsuccessfully trying to get Greenberg, the property managers, to listen to what I was saying, I called the narcs, and then just moved out. At the time, I suspected it was probably crystal meth–but I didn’t know, as I now do, just how dangerous that was. I had no idea that it would permanently contaminate the building, etc. Now I feel like, even though it was a few years ago, that if this guy never got caught, that the entire building is probably still at risk–given that there is virtually no way that that wasn’t a meth lab. At the very least, the building should be tested. I wonder if there is any way to find out if that problem was ever addressed, or who I should contact? The property managers are clearly don’t ask don’t tell, and I already called the police back then, in the mid 2000’s. Should I post flyers in front of the building? Thoughts? I feel stupid for not having followed up on this before more thoroughly, especially given the potential damage to kids, pregnant women, and just about anybody.


Comments

  1. I see that there are some swab tests that one can order online and DIY, but does anyone know of an inspector or agency that can come and do a site visit and test for the use or production of meth in a building.

  2. Read METHLAND by Nick Reding if you want to scare yourself stupid. He was interviewed on NPR’s The Connection last night. Crystal meth and all the associated by-products are super toxic. Maybe you should call 311 and/or DEP?

    I wouldn’t post flyers in front of the building but I guess you could mail a letter to each apt to let the current residents know of your concerns. In case they find it a little strange that you are following up on this years later, be sure to explain that you’ve only recently learned about the long-term enviromental hazards of meth.

  3. Yeah, I mean, I thought I was over worrying, even at the time. But recent info about meth labs does suggest that the residue lingers permanently, long after you can’t smell it anymore. It’s not something that just “goes away.”

  4. BUT I think there’s a new process that uses other chemicals than the process that was used at the time the OP was mentioning. Damn, I forgot the recipes 🙂

  5. Before reading that NY Times article I’s have agreed with “setancre” about the OP seeming a bit paranoid. AFTER reading the article, my opinion is VERY different.

  6. I think your responsibility ended at contacting the police. It is up to them to investigate your concerns and take proper action. It’s not clear to me why a meth lab would “permanently contaminate” the building if it were dismantled back then, considering all the factories and toxic waste sites around Brooklyn that have been converted into “luxury” residential condos.

    And considering this all transpired several years ago, you sound a little bit paranoid to me. If there are still smells coming from the apartment the current residents (assuming they have a sense of smell) realize this and can deal with it however they see fit. If people posted flyers at every location that there had ever been any chemical toxins in Brooklyn the whole borough would be covered in paper.