METH LABS LABS POSE AN ASSORTMENT OF DANGERS

Clandestine meth labs are an ever-increasing danger to
firefighters.

The toxicity of chemicals used is often high and pose the risk of
explosions, especially if the makers don't know what they're doing.

"The combinations they're putting together can be very toxic, very
volatile if the cook is not very experienced or just learning," said
Cpl. Kate Anderson, the RCMP chemical diversion co-ordinator for the
province.

"They say one in every six labs is identified by the fire department
because of a fire or an explosion. Chances are, they're going to be
the first ones to identify the lab."

Walking into a situation where firefighters don't know what chemicals
might be burning can be extremely dangerous so it's important for them
to know what they could be dealing with.

To make their jobs safer, Anderson travels the province lecturing
first-responders like firefighters, paramedics and social workers how
to recognize the signs of methamphetamine labs.

She was in Grande Prairie this week to bring her education session to
the area.

Once first-responders recognize there is a clandestine lab, they
should simply get out, said Anderson, as they have no idea what could
be in there.

The RCMP clandestine lab team has to send samples of the chemicals for
analysis just so they know what they could be dealing with.

As chemicals used in the making of methamphetamines can vary, taking
any action within a meth lab can be risky.

"Each cook may use something different. There is no real quality
control on what's being produced," said Anderson.

"That's a problem because sometimes when you open these containers
maybe just exposing whatever the liquid is to oxygen may cause an explosion."

Different chemicals will also have different levels of toxicity, but
all of them can be very dangerous to any exposed person.

"Some of these chemicals are going to attack your eyes. They're going
to go after any surfaces on you where there's water or moisture," said
Anderson. "They could attack the lungs or get trapped in the lungs, so
they'll end up with coughing or wheezing and they're going to have to
seek immediate medical attention for their exposure to the chemical,"
said Anderson.

Meth labs can pop up just about anywhere simply because many of the
chemicals are easy to obtain, such as methanol.

One of the primary chemicals is ephedrine or pseudoephedrines,
something commonly found in many cold medications.

In an effort to crack down, Alberta pharmacies have been encouraged to
move any product containing emphadrine behind the counter to force any
meth lab operators to actually ask for the products.

In the United States, some of the big box stores are involved in a
meth watch program where they monitor the sales of any product that
could be used to create methamphetamines.

Even with measures to prevent labs starting, they're still there and
they pose a risk to anyone around them.

First-responders need to know the dangers and how to recognize the
situation, said Anderson.