New Zealand insurer Tower has urged the Government to act on the Chief Science Adviser’s report allaying fears about methamphetamine residue in homes.

CEO Richard Harding says Tower has long maintained that strict meth testing and remediation protocols are not based on science, and the clean-up industry grew through scare tactics.

“Remediation of meth contamination has contributed to unnecessary costs being borne by our customers through higher premiums,” Mr Harding said. “We believe that landlords and tenants should not have to unfairly pay for unfounded risks and we will pass on any benefits from a change to the Ministry of Health guidelines to customers.”

Tower says there is no change to its policies, which are linked to the Government’s guidelines. Customers are covered for contamination at the standards currently set.

Chief Science Adviser Peter Gluckman found testing and remediation to the current standard is appropriate only in former meth labs or where there was excessive use of the drug.