BE CAREFUL OF WHAT TYPE OF 'LITTER' YOU PICK UP

In the midst of local residents' attack on litter in McMinn County, local
law enforcement officials want people to be careful of what they pick up -
today's trash could be yesterday's meth lab.

Authorities say that errantly pitched bag of apparent trash could contain
components from a clandestine methamphetamine lab, and the chemicals could
be very dangerous if inhaled, explosive or both.

McMinn County Sheriff's Department Lt. Bill Farmer said local meth cookers
are beginning to toss out leftover chemicals, used chemicals and containers
that might have once contained substances associated with the manufacture of
meth.

Once, "burn piles" were commonly used by meth cookers to dispose of their
components, but Farmer said those meth "cookers" have now begun throwing
used components by the roadside and into other residents' trash.

Athens police said anyone picking up litter along the roadside could find a
trash bag containing meth components without realizing the danger.

Athens Police Officer Scott Webb, who works closely with the police
department's drug investigations, said today's trash might contain the
byproducts of yesterday's meth lab.

"Trash and garbage is no longer just household items," Webb said. "The trash
today can be dangerous, consisting of unknown chemicals, hazardous materials
and the new trash, meth.

"Meth manufacturers need a place to throw out the containers, mixing bowls
and the lab itself if the manufacturers believed they might or will get
caught by law enforcement," Webb said.

Local officers also worry residents could find a disposed-of lab in their
own garbage.

"What they need to watch for is garbage bags containing Heet gas line
antifreeze, Brakleen or Sudafed and other cold medicines" said Farmer.

"Watch for matchbook covers without matches and matches without covers,"
Farmer said. Match book "strike plates" are used to derive red phosphorous
for part of the meth-making process, and are often used in noticeable
numbers, authorities said.

Farmer also cautioned litter gatherers and local residents to watch for
containers of two-layer liquids and large-gauge plastic tubing, usually
clear or stained from use.

According to authorities, plastic tubing used in meth production is usually
one-half to an inch-and-a-half in diameter, or more, and often show signs of
having once been attached to something.

Webb said other chemicals used in the production whose containers often find
a way to the trash might included denatured or isopropyl alcohol, stained
coffee filters, camping fuels, muriatic acid, iodine, hydrogen peroxide and
Red Devil lye.

"The above items might be thrown out in large quantities rather than in
single containers that a family would put in the every week trash," Webb
said.

"If you find trash that looks different or smells like chemicals, please do
not touch or open it," Webb said. "Notify the Police Department. Meth is
dangerous."

Farmer said it's far safer to leave anything suspicious where it's found,
and contact authorities.

"Don't be misled in believing empty containers are not dangerous," Farmer
said.

"If you notice a strong chemical odor, then get away and contact
authorities," he said.

Those disposing of meth-related products could even face misdemeanor
citations for violations of city codes regarding disposal of trash, as well
as criminal charges, according to Webb.

City code prohibits burning of garbage without a permit and use of trash
containers belonging to someone else, Webb said.