00:00Wodonga resident Craig Lechel thought he'd struck gold when he was offered a flat through
00:09public housing in 2022, but his health deteriorated after moving in.
00:16I'd get up to go to the toilet and it felt like there was sand in my eyes.
00:20And since then my health has deteriorated and I've been in a lot of pain.
00:26The housing department has confirmed the home was exposed to methamphetamine by previous
00:31tenants.
00:32It was decontaminated by the department just before Mr Lechel moved in, but he says self-testing
00:39kits are still showing positive results for the drug.
00:43It's quite actually overwhelming to have that confirmation that you know something's wrong,
00:48you know something's making you sick, you just don't know what it is.
00:51These test results have been backed up by new research warning of the danger of third
00:56hand exposure to methamphetamine, which can linger long after the drug's been cooked or
01:02consumed there.
01:03You don't have to touch the surfaces to get exposed to the methamphetamine, but just breathing
01:07inside the house means you're being exposed.
01:10And that chronic exposure is being linked to concerning health problems.
01:15We're seeing things like cognitive problems and behavioural problems in children, sleep
01:19issues, respiratory problems, skin issues and also headaches.
01:24Victoria's Department of Housing says it follows national guidelines to ensure tenant safety
01:30and has offered more testing on the Wodonga property.
01:34But Dr Wright says anyone with concerns should do a home test like Mr Lechel did.
01:39If it does come up and it's positive, then you do need to engage someone.
01:44Mr Lechel has called in independent testers to confirm his results.
01:49I've moved into a place that's slowly just eating me up.
01:53Hoping to breathe easier.
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