Pubdate: Thu, 27 Jul 2006 Source: Oroville Mercury-Register (CA) Copyright: 2006 Oroville Mercury Register Contact: http://www.orovillemr.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2277 Author: Paula M. Felipe, Public Safety Reporter Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) METH: AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD (DAY 1 OF 3) This is the first of a three-part series on the drug called methamphetamine. Part 1 focuses on environmental hazards and toxic waste associated with the drug. "The most important tools to combat the epidemic of methamphetamine are education and public awareness." - -Dr. Michelle R. Chesley "Methamphetamines: An Epidemic of Clandestine and Health Risks" Meth is made by people in their homes, motorhomes, garages, hotel rooms, bathrooms, vehicles, trunks, apartments, and other outbuildings. It is known by many names: meth, speed, chalk, ice, crystal, crank, or glass. It is a white, bitter tasting crystalline powder that is snorted, smoked, or dissolved for intravenous use with needles. The drug is methamphetamine, and the number of "meth labs" continues to rise across the United States. In 2005, the Butte County Interagency Narcotics Task Force (BINTF) seized 17 clandestine labs in Butte County and investigated and disposed of eight clandestine lab dump sites and/or remnants of labs. Of the 35 counties reporting lab seizures last year, Butte County ranks fourth in the state per capita for lab seizures and sixth in the state for total number of lab seizures. The California Department of Toxic Substance Control was responsible for $25,181 in cleanup costs for 25 clandestine labs and dump-related sites seized in Butte County, according to BINTF. Clandestine or secretive lab cooks often seek out rural areas to avoid detection from law enforcement or neighbors who might detect the strong odors associated with cooking of various materials and chemicals. Labs contain corrosive, toxic ingredients anyone can buy in a store. (See side box for list of ingredients.) Recipes for making meth can be simple and are continually evolving and passed along to other people on the streets, in bars, in jails, among other meetings places, and even over the Internet. Methods of cooking range from large scale or "super" labs (producing more than 10 pounds of meth in a 24-hour period) in California and Mexico to small homemade varieties, using jars, microwaves, bathtubs, crockery cookers, blowtorches, and hot plates. Some people known as "lab cooks" will mix different ingredients and cook and simmer them over a heat source, contaminating the surrounding areas and risking explosions and fires. (See box for signs of a meth lab.) The dwellings where a meth lab has been operating becomes contaminated and poses health risks to future inhabitants because the ceilings, floors, carpets, walls, drapes, furnishings, are all contaminated by the toxic fumes and residue from the dangerous chemicals. According to the Meth Task Force website, "Many of the contaminants present during the meth cooking process can be harmful if humans or pets are exposed to them. Meth labs can cause health problems including respiratory illness, skin and eye irritation, headaches, burns, nausea and dizziness. Short-term exposures to high concentrations of some of these chemicals are common to first responders, such as fire departments or law enforcement officers first entering a lab. "These exposures may cause severe health problems, including lung damage and chemical burns to the body. Fires caused by these labs have killed innocent children and meth 'cookers' alike throughout California. Touching these chemicals or just breathing their fumes can cause sickness, permanent injury and, even death. One rash act by a meth cooker can also turn our fields and waterways into environmental waste dumps." BINTF Commander Keith Krampitz said, "It is estimated about five to six pounds of hazardous waste are generated for every single pound of meth produced." The hazardous waste materials from meth labs are dumped on the ground, thrown in dumpsters, along a highway, or flushed down the sewer or other water source, he added. The environmental contamination is expensive to clean up once it is discovered. According to a study by the United States Attorney's Office, in some cases, cleaning up a large scale lab can cost up to $150,000 and often times the building needs to be condemned. "The safest way to clean up a former meth lab is to hire environmental companies trained in hazardous substance removal and cleanup. Owners that clean their own properties should be aware that household building materials and furniture can absorb contaminants and give off fumes. Use caution and wear clothing to protect your skin, such as gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection during cleaning. Smoking should not be permitted during the cleanup process," the Task Force's website added. Assembly Bill 1078 called "Contaminated Property: Methamphetamine," by Assemblyman Rick Keene, was enacted to provided some protection to innocent property buyers from buying contaminated properties and holding property owners accountable for clean-up, Krampitz said. The Meth Contaminated Property Cleanup Act of 2005 established interim remediation standards for meth, mercury, and lead (the latter two only when used in making meth). "These standards will become inoperative when the Department of Toxic Substances Control, and Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment adopts a health-based target remediation standard for meth. The bill also establishes a remediation management program for local governments to use in cleaning up properties contaminated by the illegal manufacturing of meth," according to the Department of Toxic Substances, Office of Legislation's summary of bills report dated 2006. For a list of local properties related to meth lab seizures, including labs found in vehicles parked near homes, see the Butte County Meth Task Force's website at: www.2stopmeth.org. "It takes the whole community working together with law enforcement to stop the meth epidemic," said Krampitz. "The Task Force needs the trust and support of the public, and we want people to call us at (530) 538-2261 and provide information if they suspect someone is cooking meth," Krampitz said. Part 2 examines the effects of meth addiction, the importance of intervention and treatment, and how meth affects the entire community. This series is dedicated to helping raise public awareness of this deadly epidemic. Sidebars: What Are The Signs Of A Meth Lab Access denied to landlords, neighbors, and other visitors. "Cooks" make cash purchases and payments. Covering or blacking-out of windows. Security cameras or baby monitors outside of buildings. Unusual traffic and activities, such as excessive night traffic or purchases taking place. Burn pits, stained soil or dead vegetation due to dumping chemicals or waste. Waste in trash, pits or piles, such as: Evidence of large quantities of cold medications, diet or allergy pills, or non-prescription weight loss products Empty containers relating to antifreeze, white gas, ether, starting fluids, Freon, lye or drain openers, paint thinner, acetone, or alcohol. Compressed gas cylinders, or camp stove (Coleman) fuel containers. Packaging from epsom salts or rock salt. Anhydrous ammonia tanks; propane tanks or coolers containing anhydrous ammonia. Pyrex/glass/Corning containers with dried chemical deposits. Bottles or containers connected with rubber hosing and duct tape. Coolers, thermos bottles, or other cold storage containers. Respiratory masks and filters or dust masks. Coffee filters, pillow cases or bed sheets stained red (used to filter red phosphorous), or containing a white powdery residue. Strong or unusual chemical odors Laboratory equipment (glass tubes, beakers, Bunsen burners, funnels, hosing, and clamps) Large number of discarded blister packages or plastic bottles with the bottoms cut out Chemical cans or drums in the yard, often with labels painted over. Fortifications on houses or outbuildings, such as heavily barred windows or doors. Apartments or buildings that smell like chemicals, including sweet, bitter, ammonia or solvent smells. Ingredients Of Meth Labs Rubbing Alcohol Cold Medicine Containing Pseudoephedrine or Ephedrine Matches (Red Phosphorus) Salt Gasoline additives Gasoline Pool acid/ Muratic acid Drain cleaner (e.g. "Red Devil lye") Acetone Iodine Brake Fluid Brake Cleaner Iodine Crystals Lithium Metal / Lithium Batteries Lighter Fluid Kerosene Campfire Fuel Drain Cleaners (Drano or Liquid Fire) Ethyl Ether (Starting Fluid) Anhydrous Ammonia (stored in propane tanks or coolers) Muriatic (hydrochloric) acid Sodium Metal Ephedrine Laboratory Glassware Coffee Filters Camera Batteries Paint Thinner Aluminum Foil Propane Tanks Funnels This information was taken from the Meth Task Force's website at: www.2stopmeth.org. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman