ERA OF METH CHALLENGES RESPONDERS

The chemicals used by criminals to produce methamphetamines are a
growing concern for the agency that monitors chemical spills across
the state.

Wanda Lizak Welles, a toxicologist and section chief for hazardous
substances events surveillance for the state Health Department, will
discuss the growing problems concerning illegal laboratories when she
speaks at F.I.R.E. 2003, the annual conference of the New York State
Association of Fire Chiefs. Welles will speak at 11:30 a.m. today in
Building 2, Room 5.

Dealing with the acids and solvents involved in methamphetamine
production has been a growing problem for the past few years, she
said. The labs are "highly mobile" and have been found in bedrooms,
sheds, shacks, storage facilities and even the trunks of cars. The
chemicals needed to produce the drug can easily be obtained in drug
stores and home centers, she said. Not only are the chemicals toxic,
but the solvents used often can burn or explode.

Welles tracks spills of all chemicals except those made from
petroleum, she said. The number of spills varies each year, but
between 1993 and 2001, the department recorded 5,322 events, she said.

The incidents pose a danger to those called to handle the emergency,
she said. Of injuries reported in chemical spills, 12 percent of those
are to police, firefighters and emergency medical people.

Welles said her presentation is intended to give firefighters
information about the dangers of chemical spills so they know what's
out there. "The firefighting community does play an important role,"
she said. "My goal is to raise awareness."

Respiratory irritation is the most frequently reported injury for
responders wearing firefighter turnout gear, according to the
Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance fact sheet posted
on the Health Department's Web site. The statistics are from 246
injured responders reported during the last eight years, the fact sheet said.

Respiratory irritation was reported by 45 percent of those injured and
wearing turnout gear, with 43 percent reporting headaches and 28
percent reporting dizziness and 27 percent reporting heat stress.

Chemicals involved in the incidents included ammonia, sulfuric acid,
chlorine, hydrochloric acid and tetrachloroethene, the fact sheet said.

The lessons to be learned are that turnout gear may not protect from
chemicals and responders should wear appropriate personal protection
equipment. Responders also should know the chemicals involved in the
incidents and their health effects, the fact sheet said.

During her presentation, participants will learn more about the
chemicals most often associated with injuries and see maps showing
where injuries have been most frequent.