TAKING DOWN A METH LAB IS HIGH-RISK WORK

MASON CITY -- When law enforcement officers respond to the site of a
methamphetamine lab, they handle a myriad of hazardous chemicals.

Some chemicals used in the production of meth are known to cause burns,
hepatitis, dizziness, chest pain, asthma and rashes.

To guard against these hazards, officers suit up in fire-retardant clothing
under vinyl, spill-resistant body suits. They breathe through portable
oxygen units.

"If they use the proper equipment it reduces their chance of exposure
greatly," said Jerry Nelson, special agent in the Iowa Department of
Narcotics Enforcement Clandestine Laboratory Emergency Response Team.

To work investigating and dismantling meth lab sites, officers must take a
40-hour training class. About 325 Iowa officers are certified.

In North Iowa, a minimum of six certified officers respond to each meth lab
site, according to Nelson. Firefighters also respond in case of an emergency.

Such illicit labs can be set up quickly in hotels, houses, cars, fields,
parks or even in vehicles. It takes as little as two hours for a lab to
produce meth.

Law enforcement work begins when an entry team swarms a lab, arresting
people on site, Nelson said. A second group of officers assesses the
situation to see what chemicals were blended.

They remove the lids from each container and segregate the concoctions that
pose an immediate danger.

A hazardous waste disposal company disposes of the chemicals, except for
the samples collected for evidence.

The entire process usually takes four to six hours.

What's In Methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine labs can use common household chemicals to produce the
illegal drug. Heat is not even needed in the simplest processes.

Ingredients used to produce methamphetamine include:

ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, a main ingredient in cold medications

acetone

toluene (brake cleaner)

ether (found in automotive engine starting products.

sulfuric acid -- found in drain cleaning products

salt

lithium -- from batteries

anhydrous ammonia -- agricultural fertilizer

sodium hydroxide -- lye

muriatic acid

red phosphorus -- found in matches and road flares

Equipment used in meth manufacturing includes:

jugs and bottles

coffee filters

thermometer

blender

strainer

hot plate

paper towels

oven-safe glass dishes

rubber gloves

cheesecloth

tape/clamps

cooler

Source: www.streetdrugs.org