Clandestine Drug Lab Program

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  Illegal Methamphetamine Labs

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Methamphetamine, also known as "crank" or "speed", is a potent central nervous system stimulant with the potential to cause drug dependence. Possession, manufacture, or distribution is unlawful in many countries, including the United States.

What is an Illegal Lab?

An illegal methamphetamine or crank lab is one which is set up to produce this illegal drug. There are several different techniques used to produce methamphetamine. All of the processes use a variety of chemicals including explosives, solvents, metals, salts, and corrosives. During the drug manufacturing process (cooking), additional compounds and by-products are produced. The fumes, vapors, and spillage associated with cooking can be toxic. 

Possible Health Effects

The risk of injury from chemical exposure depends on the chemical itself, the concentration, the quantity, and the length and route of exposure. Chemicals may enter the body by being breathed, eaten, injected (by a contaminated needle or accidental skin prick), or absorbed by the skin. 

Acute Exposure: An acute chemical exposure is one that occurs over a relatively short period of time and may result in health effects. An acute exposure to high levels of contaminants found in methamphetamine labs cause shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, dizziness, lack of coordination, chemical irritation, and burns to the skin, eyes, mouth and nose, and in severe cases, death. Acute reactions of this nature could occur during or immediately after a drug bust, before the lab has been ventilated. 

Less severe symptoms resulting from a less acute exposure cause headache, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue or lethargy. These symptoms have been known to occur in people who have entered a drug lab after the bust has been completed, but before the property has been adequately cleaned and ventilated. These symptoms usually go away after several hours. 

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Corrosive Effects: Inhalation or skin exposure may result in injury from corrosive substances present in a methamphetamine lab. Symptoms range from shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, to burns to the skin. 

Solvents: Exposure to solvents can irritate the skin, mucous membranes, respiratory tract, and cause central nervous system effects. They are also dangerous because of their fire and explosive properties. 

Chronic Exposure: Chronic exposure occurs over an extended period of time, such as weeks, months, or years. A chronic health effect is one that usually appears after a lengthy period of time, possibly years. Not much is known about the chronic health effects from these labs. However, there is scientific evidence from animal and human toxicity studies that shows the chemicals used in the manufacture of this drug can cause a range of health effects. These include cancer, damage to the brain, liver and kidneys, birth defects, and reproductive problems, such as miscarriages. 

Recommendations

In summary, because of the possible health effects associated with methamphetamine labs:  

• No one should enter a place that has been used as an illegal methamphetamine drug lab without appropriate personal protective equipment unless the area has been ventilated and decontaminated. 

• No one should rent, purchase, or otherwise occupy a house or dwelling which has been used as an illegal drug lab until the property has been decontaminated according to the best available technology. Washington State law requires notice on property title

• The decision to rent, purchase or otherwise occupy a house or dwelling which has been used as a drug lab should be made with the knowledge that no decontamination procedure can guarantee absolute safety for reoccupancy.

Need More Information

• If you suspect a dwelling or property may be an illegal lab, contact your local police, or sheriff's department.

• If you own property which has been used as an illegal lab and would like a list of chemicals confiscated during the bust, contact the law enforcement agency responsible for the bust, such as local police or sheriff, Washington State Patrol, or Federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

• If you have questions about environmental contamination from an illegal lab, contact the Washington Department of Ecology office listed in your phone book.

For more information, contact:

Gregory B.McKnight II  (360) 236-3381

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DOH Home | Access Washington | Privacy Notice | Disclaimer/Copyright Information Clandestine Drug Lab Program Office of Environmental Health and Safety Washington State Department of Health 243 Israel Road S.E. Tumwater, WA  98501   PO Box 47825 Olympia, WA  98504-7825 (360) 236-3385 1(888) 586-9427 Send inquiries about DOH and its programs to the Health Consumer Assistance Office. For comments or questions regarding this Web site, please send email to EHS Web Coordinator.

       Last Update : 05/04/2007 04:31 PM