METHAMPHETAMINES PROVE HARMFUL TO OUR ENVIRONMENT

This is the second in a series of articles that will show how illegal
methamphetamine production and use will affect the people of Johnson County.

After a clandestine meth lab is discovered, a specially trained team removes
all hazardous material from the site. Cleanup costs between $3,500 and $10,000
for the size of labs commonly found in and around Johnson County.

However, there is no guarantee that the location will ever be safe again. The
chemicals and fumes that permeate the walls, carpets, plaster, and wood of meth
labs, as well as the surrounding soil, are known to cause cancer, short-term
and permanent brain damage, and immune and respiratory system problems. In
fact, because of the environmental and liability risks, officials do not even
bother to confiscate the property.

A DEA public affairs officers says, "The small labs make a couple of ounces,
just enough to feed the cook's addiction, with leftovers sold to buy
over-the-counter chemicals for the next batch.

"But there's still a horrible environmental component with these labs. They're
almost like a mini-hazardous-waste site."

DEA agents across the country have found tree-kills in areas where meth labs
have been in operation for an extended period of time. They also report 20 head
of cattle downstream from a meth lab dying. An autopsy report said the animals
had extensive liver and kidney damage and high levels of toxicity in their
bloodstreams.

Of the 32 different chemicals that can be used in various combinations to cook
up a batch of meth, about 10 are extremely toxic. In addition, for each pound
of meth produced, there are about five pounds of hazardous waste products
created.

Remote areas like Johnson County offer easy disposal of these toxic wastes. The
lab operators may dump hazardous waste on the land, into streams and sewage
systems, into public trash containers, or they may leave it in boxes alongside
county roads.

County Litter Control Officer Larry Glazebrook says the prison litter crews
have found meth lab waste products.

"Sgt. Williams and his crew came across a box of hazardous waste that he
recognized as being from a meth lab,' said Glazebrook. "This was on a routine
litter cleanup. [Williams] notified the sheriff's office and they came out and
cleaned it up."

Glazebrook says he has received training on meth materials.

"I've taken a 16-hour class and have another one coming up pretty soon. They
teach us to recognize the materials involved in meth production, and train us
how to deal with the situation."

Glazebrook says his job is dangerous enough without the added risk of exposure
to hazardous chemicals.

"I'm pretty cautious when I investigate reports of trash being dumped beside
the road somewhere in the county. I always use protective gloves, and I notify
the sheriff if I find something suspicious."

Glazebrook says he has not found meth lab products in the recycling containers.

"At least not yet, I haven't. I believe the possibility that the illegal
dumpers may be on video has kept that from happening."

Danny Simms, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator, says he has not encountered a
problem in reference to hazardous chemicals being found in the sewage system.

"Not as of yet, anyway," says Simms. "The chemicals involved in the meth
production process are pretty caustic and if enough of them start being dumped
Into the sewage system, we will notice it because of the problems it would
create.

"The materials are toxic to the bacteria used in our treatment process. If
enough of these chemicals are introduced, we will begin to see a gray-colored
effluent and a high PH level. If that happens, we will begin a testing process
to try and find out where the chemicals are being dumped."

As the number of labs increase, the hazardous byproducts could eventually find
their way into the county's water system. A member of the Drug Task Force
reports finding small pieces of aluminum foil in a stream close to a seized
meth lab. He indicated the foil is used in a chemical process to produce meth,
and says he can only assume that waste had been dumped into the stream.

At least one meth lab in the county was discovered only after an explosion
resulted in a fire. When the blaze was extinguished, firefighters discovered
evidence of a lab and notified the sheriff's department.

The questions remain unanswered: what about the water used to extinguish the
blaze? In addition, what about normal rainfall being filtered through hazardous
waste that has been dumped outside the lab?

Of the myriad problems associated with the illegal production of
methamphetamine, the introduction of hazardous waste into the water table would
seem to be one of the most important to address. However, Mark Braswell,
Manager of Johnson City's Environmental Assistance Center, says that to his
knowledge, there are currently no guidelines in place to deal with the problem.

"Of course anyone who discharges hazardous waste is required by law to obtain a
permit, but the meth lab operators would not comply with that law, I'm sure.

"The problem has developed so quickly that it has caught everyone off guard.
The public may, however, rest assured that we will investigate the matter and
come up with a solution soon."

In the meantime, the public should do their part to help stop the spread of
illegal meth labs. Any information concerning a possible lab should be reported
to the proper authorities.

Clues of a Lab:

*· Unusual structures or assemblages of equipment, and accumulations of waste

*· Fortifications, unusual security systems and/or devices, or efforts at
camouflage or concealment

*· Discoloration of structures, pavements or soils (bleached, tarnished, rusted
or corroded)

*· Strong or unusual chemical odors

*· Unusual behaviors of people at the location or in the vicinity

Common Odors:

Ether-like: Aromatic, sweet odor often accompanied by a sweet taste. Often
described as "hospital odor" due to common use of ethyl ether as an anesthetic.

Solvent-like: Sweet odor from common solvents used in paint thinners, paint
removers, adhesives, and cleaning fluids. Type of odor often found in an auto
body shop or furniture finishing shop.

Vinegar-like: Typical pungent, acrid, or sour odor found in vinegar,
mayonnaise, salad dressings or pickled food.

Ammonia-like: A sharp, irritating odor similar to that from wet diapers, glass
cleaners, cattle feedlots or fertilizers.