METH: AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD (DAY 1 OF 3)

This is the first of a three-part series on the drug called
methamphetamine. Part 1 focuses on environmental hazards and toxic
waste associated with the drug.

"The most important tools to combat the epidemic of methamphetamine
are education and public awareness."

- -Dr. Michelle R. Chesley

"Methamphetamines: An Epidemic of Clandestine and Health Risks"

Meth is made by people in their homes, motorhomes, garages, hotel
rooms, bathrooms, vehicles, trunks, apartments, and other outbuildings.

It is known by many names: meth, speed, chalk, ice, crystal, crank,
or glass. It is a white, bitter tasting crystalline powder that is
snorted, smoked, or dissolved for intravenous use with needles.

The drug is methamphetamine, and the number of "meth labs" continues
to rise across the United States. In 2005, the Butte County
Interagency Narcotics Task Force (BINTF) seized 17 clandestine labs
in Butte County and investigated and disposed of eight clandestine
lab dump sites and/or remnants of labs.

Of the 35 counties reporting lab seizures last year, Butte County
ranks fourth in the state per capita for lab seizures and sixth in
the state for total number of lab seizures.

The California Department of Toxic Substance Control was responsible
for $25,181 in cleanup costs for 25 clandestine labs and dump-related
sites seized in Butte County, according to BINTF.

Clandestine or secretive lab cooks often seek out rural areas to
avoid detection from law enforcement or neighbors who might detect
the strong odors associated with cooking of various materials and
chemicals. Labs contain corrosive, toxic ingredients anyone can buy
in a store. (See side box for list of ingredients.)

Recipes for making meth can be simple and are continually evolving
and passed along to other people on the streets, in bars, in jails,
among other meetings places, and even over the Internet.

Methods of cooking range from large scale or "super" labs (producing
more than 10 pounds of meth in a 24-hour period) in California and
Mexico to small homemade varieties, using jars, microwaves, bathtubs,
crockery cookers, blowtorches, and hot plates. Some people known as
"lab cooks" will mix different ingredients and cook and simmer them
over a heat source, contaminating the surrounding areas and risking
explosions and fires. (See box for signs of a meth lab.)

The dwellings where a meth lab has been operating becomes
contaminated and poses health risks to future inhabitants because the
ceilings, floors, carpets, walls, drapes, furnishings, are all
contaminated by the toxic fumes and residue from the dangerous chemicals.

According to the Meth Task Force website, "Many of the contaminants
present during the meth cooking process can be harmful if humans or
pets are exposed to them. Meth labs can cause health problems
including respiratory illness, skin and eye irritation, headaches,
burns, nausea and dizziness. Short-term exposures to high
concentrations of some of these chemicals are common to first
responders, such as fire departments or law enforcement officers
first entering a lab.

"These exposures may cause severe health problems, including lung
damage and chemical burns to the body. Fires caused by these labs
have killed innocent children and meth 'cookers' alike throughout
California. Touching these chemicals or just breathing their fumes
can cause sickness, permanent injury and, even death. One rash act by
a meth cooker can also turn our fields and waterways into
environmental waste dumps."

BINTF Commander Keith Krampitz said, "It is estimated about five to
six pounds of hazardous waste are generated for every single pound of
meth produced." The hazardous waste materials from meth labs are
dumped on the ground, thrown in dumpsters, along a highway, or
flushed down the sewer or other water source, he added.

The environmental contamination is expensive to clean up once it is
discovered. According to a study by the United States Attorney's
Office, in some cases, cleaning up a large scale lab can cost up to
$150,000 and often times the building needs to be condemned.

"The safest way to clean up a former meth lab is to hire
environmental companies trained in hazardous substance removal and
cleanup. Owners that clean their own properties should be aware that
household building materials and furniture can absorb contaminants
and give off fumes. Use caution and wear clothing to protect your
skin, such as gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection during
cleaning. Smoking should not be permitted during the cleanup
process," the Task Force's website added.

Assembly Bill 1078 called "Contaminated Property: Methamphetamine,"
by Assemblyman Rick Keene, was enacted to provided some protection to
innocent property buyers from buying contaminated properties and
holding property owners accountable for clean-up, Krampitz said. The
Meth Contaminated Property Cleanup Act of 2005 established interim
remediation standards for meth, mercury, and lead (the latter two
only when used in making meth).

"These standards will become inoperative when the Department of Toxic
Substances Control, and Office of Environmental Health Hazard
Assessment adopts a health-based target remediation standard for
meth. The bill also establishes a remediation management program for
local governments to use in cleaning up properties contaminated by
the illegal manufacturing of meth," according to the Department of
Toxic Substances, Office of Legislation's summary of bills report dated 2006.

For a list of local properties related to meth lab seizures,
including labs found in vehicles parked near homes, see the Butte
County Meth Task Force's website at: www.2stopmeth.org.

"It takes the whole community working together with law enforcement
to stop the meth epidemic," said Krampitz. "The Task Force needs the
trust and support of the public, and we want people to call us at
(530) 538-2261 and provide information if they suspect someone is
cooking meth," Krampitz said.

Part 2 examines the effects of meth addiction, the importance of
intervention and treatment, and how meth affects the entire community.

This series is dedicated to helping raise public awareness of this
deadly epidemic.

Sidebars:

What Are The Signs Of A Meth Lab

Access denied to landlords, neighbors, and other visitors.

"Cooks" make cash purchases and payments.

Covering or blacking-out of windows.

Security cameras or baby monitors outside of buildings.

Unusual traffic and activities, such as excessive night traffic or
purchases taking place.

Burn pits, stained soil or dead vegetation due to dumping chemicals or waste.

Waste in trash, pits or piles, such as:

Evidence of large quantities of cold medications, diet or allergy
pills, or non-prescription weight loss products

Empty containers relating to antifreeze, white gas, ether, starting
fluids, Freon, lye or drain openers, paint thinner, acetone, or alcohol.

Compressed gas cylinders, or camp stove (Coleman) fuel containers.

Packaging from epsom salts or rock salt.

Anhydrous ammonia tanks; propane tanks or coolers containing anhydrous ammonia.

Pyrex/glass/Corning containers with dried chemical deposits.

Bottles or containers connected with rubber hosing and duct tape.

Coolers, thermos bottles, or other cold storage containers.

Respiratory masks and filters or dust masks.

Coffee filters, pillow cases or bed sheets stained red (used to
filter red phosphorous), or containing a white powdery residue.

Strong or unusual chemical odors

Laboratory equipment (glass tubes, beakers, Bunsen burners, funnels,
hosing, and clamps)

Large number of discarded blister packages or plastic bottles with
the bottoms cut out

Chemical cans or drums in the yard, often with labels painted over.

Fortifications on houses or outbuildings, such as heavily barred
windows or doors.

Apartments or buildings that smell like chemicals, including sweet,
bitter, ammonia or solvent smells.

Ingredients Of Meth Labs

Rubbing Alcohol

Cold Medicine Containing Pseudoephedrine or Ephedrine

Matches (Red Phosphorus)

Salt

Gasoline additives

Gasoline

Pool acid/ Muratic acid

Drain cleaner (e.g. "Red Devil lye")

Acetone

Iodine

Brake Fluid

Brake Cleaner

Iodine Crystals

Lithium Metal / Lithium Batteries

Lighter Fluid

Kerosene

Campfire Fuel

Drain Cleaners (Drano or Liquid Fire)

Ethyl Ether (Starting Fluid)

Anhydrous Ammonia (stored in propane tanks or coolers)

Muriatic (hydrochloric) acid

Sodium Metal

Ephedrine

Laboratory Glassware

Coffee Filters

Camera Batteries

Paint Thinner

Aluminum Foil

Propane Tanks

Funnels

This information was taken from the Meth Task Force's website at:
www.2stopmeth.org.