Is there a way to test house?

Question

My family and I moved into an old house about 4 years ago. Everyone has stayed sick all the time since we moved in. The house had some strange things that I noticed like the ceiling in the bathroom and kitchen were black from smoke. Well I took the kids to the dr and she told me that I needed to get my house tested to see if drugs had ever been cooked in the house before or smoked cause the chemicals could've gotten in the walls. Is there a way to test this to know for sure? I've tried to look on the web and cant find anything at all. I'm not a drug user and never have been and if this is the problem with my house I'm ready to move. Just wanna find out if it could be another problem cause she said mold or any other common problems with old houses wouldn't make us sick like this.

Answer 1

There was some news show on TV a while back about drugs, and they said there is not a requirement to disclose that a house was used to manufacture drugs.  Speak with your local police and/or health department, maybe they have information or point you to someone who could help.  

Answer 2

Testing for drugs is a new one on me.  Black mold can cause severe illness and even death so I have to assume your doctor is familiar with that when she said that your illness was not due to mold.

There is a company online at http://www.homehealthtesting.com/identa-... that sells a Substance Test kit for testing surfaces around the home for the presence of illicit drugs.  I'm not sure what you do if you find anything except maybe replace your walls and ceiling sheetrock/plaster and scrub the floors.  Maybe you could paint the walls and ceilings with Kilz or Binz that will seal in the drug residue.

The other link below is an article about "sick home syndrome".  It or other searches about that may turn up some inspectors and remediation companies that might be familiar with your situation.

May God bless and protect your family as you go through this.

Answer 3

I agree with tomcat check with your local police they will know

Answer 4

My suggestion to you is to change your doctor immediately.Most likely it's mold especially in an old house.Ceilings do not turn black from smoking.They turn brown or yellow.Black comes from mold.Check with your hand  your walls/ceilings if they feel moist.You may have a leaky pipe somewhere.Where it feels most moist open it up and check inside.There is usually mold in there.There are companies who test and remove it.It will be costly but has to be done.Do not risk your family's health.Do this immediately.

Answer 5

I would call the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). They have the equipment to test for problems, but I don't know if they charge a fee or not.