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Waikato's top medical officer has been called in to assess a woman who was a neighbour to a man arrested after police uncovered one of the largest illegal drug labs in the country earlier this month.
The woman, who was living close to the Newcastle Road house in Dinsdale, Hamilton, was reported to be very ill and Waikato medical officer of health Dr Anita Bell has been asked by police to investigate if her symptoms may have been generated by fumes coming from the illegal lab.
Houses nearby were evacuated as police cleaned up and a smell of chemicals wafted over the neighbours.
One source, who cannot be identified, said the woman may have permanent health damage from inhaling fumes generated by the illegal laboratory.
She was showing signs of being a methamphetamine addict was but adamant she had never touched it. She may now face long-term health problems, the source said.
Police confirmed today a neighbour had "health concerns" but said it was not known what caused them and the medical officer of health had been asked to investigate.
"Whether those health concerns can be attributed to the proximity of the clan lab is an unanswered question," said Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Whitehead from the Hamilton CIB.
"We have referred the matter to the local medical officer of health asking for some guidance from them," he said.
He said police did not want to unduly alarm the public but wanted to "make sure people are aware if they have got possible health issues, they get advice for it. Right from the start we were advising people if they had health concerns to consult their doctor straight away."
Police did a letterbox drop of immediate neighbours advising them to be aware of their health.
Police said it was one of the five largest labs in the country.
The house was contaminated and the Hamilton City had yet to decide if it had to be demolished.
Charles Huddell Chavannes, 49, appeared in Hamilton District Court on Friday charged with 23 drugs counts, resulting from a police bust of his house.
The charges date back to 2003 and involve what police have called "multiple kilograms" of methamphetamine.
Charges include manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine for supply, and unlawful possession of a firearm and explosives.
Chavannes will reappear on Friday.
- NZPA
