Recent tests revealed that six restrooms and several high-traffic areas of the library had “higher than acceptable” amounts of methamphetamine residue.

A library in Boulder, Colorado, temporarily closed its doors to the public after methamphetamine residue was found in its air ducts.

The city closed the library after results of tests on the air ducts in six of the library’s restrooms showed higher-than-normal levels of the drug.

The test came after a recent spike in people smoking methamphetamine in library bathrooms over the past four weeks.

In two separate incidents, city employees were tested, and ultimately cleared, of health issues after “experiencing symptoms consistent with possible exposure to methamphetamine residue or vapors,” according to the city statement.

“This is truly a sad situation and represents the impact of a widespread epidemic in our country,” said library director David Farnan. “The city is consulting with Boulder County public health officials and will take all necessary steps to prioritize safety. We are committed to transparency and proper remediation.”

In an update from the city on December 28, it was revealed that additional testing showed that “nearly all of the contamination is inside public restrooms and on exhaust duct surfaces in these enclosed spaces.”

Affected areas will be professionally treated and cleaned before being reopened to the public. The city, which hopes to reopen the building by January 3, is also determining how to manage and mitigate illegal activity in the building.

“Consideration is being given to the level of restroom service the building will need in the future and how to ensure that no illegal activity occurs in these private, enclosed spaces. It is not yet clear if and when the public toilets will be reinstalled,” the statement added.

Methamphetamine use has increased in recent years, and overdose deaths attributed to methamphetamine have risen sharply, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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