Pubdate: Mon, 05 Jun 2000 Source: Topeka Capital-Journal (KS) Copyright: 2000 The Topeka Capital-Journal Contact: 616 S.E. Jefferson, Topeka, Kansas 66607 Website: http://cjonline.com/ Author: Tim Hrenchir PROGRAM AIMS TO CLEANSE AIR OF CHEMICALS Methamphetamine can threaten the health of more than just the people who make it and take it. State officials say neighbors of those who produce the illegal drug in clandestine labs sometimes unwittingly breathe air containing fumes and chemicals from meth production. Trevor Flynn, administrative coordinator of the Kansas Meth Lab Cleanup Program, said the state has received several reports of people becoming ill because of breathing air containing ether or anhydrous ammonia, chemicals that can be used to make meth. "We hear a lot of reports of neighbors complaining of breathing difficulties," Flynn said. Concern over meth labs' effects on public health in Kansas prompted state lawmakers last year to pass the Chemical Control Act, which formed the meth lab chemical cleanup program. The program, administered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, oversees cleanup efforts at meth labs seized by law enforcement officers and works with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to educate Kansans about problems associated with meth. KDHE Secretary Clyde D. Graeber noted that exposure to chemicals used to make meth can cause innocent neighbors or passersby to suffer respiratory illness, skin and eye irritation, headaches, nausea and vomiting. "It's important to focus on the personal, social and financial costs associated with illegal drug use," Graeber said. "This program takes a unique approach because it responds to the physical danger posed by the labs themselves while making meth production more difficult." KDHE official Bob Jurgens supervises the cleanup program. Its staff consists of Flynn and technical coordinator Paul Belt. Jurgens said about 40 percent of the program's efforts involve overseeing the cleanup of meth labs, perhaps 25 percent involves training law enforcement on meth-related issues and the rest involves educating the public. As of May 10, law enforcement officers in Kansas this year had made 265 seizures of meth labs. Police say meth makers use such items as cold or allergy tablets, rubbing alcohol, toluene, ether, anhydrous ammonia and lye or drain cleaner to produce the drug in "labs" that are typically low rent and low tech. Once a law enforcement agency contacts the KDHE cleanup program about a seized meth lab, Flynn said, the state makes sure that chemicals from the lab are disposed of properly. The KDHE cleanup program has been involved with the disposal of materials from about 70 meth labs, beginning in February, Flynn said. "A lot of law enforcement agencies don't realize this service is out here yet," he said. Flynn said the cleanup program oversees work done under contract by a hazardous materials cleanup company, which disposes of waste from seized meth labs or sites where meth makers have dumped materials used to make the drug. Whereas meth labs once were most commonly found in rural areas, Flynn said, he has found that production of the drug is "not just a rural problem any more." Flynn said KDHE has responded to meth lab scenes in basements, storage sheds, detached garages, mobile homes, vehicles and even outdoors in the woods. "It's really anywhere and everywhere," he said. "We've been to a couple houses that were really nice and a couple that looked like they could barely stand up." Flynn said meth makers often burn waste materials in backyard pits, releasing potentially toxic gases and increasing the chance that solvents will seep into the soil and contaminate septic systems or groundwater leading to public bodies of water. "It's really hard to tell right now how contamination affects the health of people," Flynn said, but state officials don't want to take any chances. He noted that some chemicals used to make meth are known or suspected to cause cancer. Jurgens said the KDHE cleanup program also has been working to increase knowledge about meth labs and the chemicals used among workers who may come into contact with waste materials, including police officers, rescue workers, road workers, public health employees and landlords. The cleanup program also is in the early stages of promoting a public awareness campaign, "MethWatch," in which it encourages retailers to submit to the KBI reports of transactions involving large quantities of items used to make meth. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk