Methamphetamine Labs Linked to Pseudophedrine Sales in Kentucky Study

Many states have put restrictions on the amount of pseudophedrine consumers can purchase because it is a key ingredient in methamphetamine production. Now, a study in Kentucky has examined pseudophedrine sales to determine whether this limitation has helped to lower meth production, according to the Los Angeles Times.

In Kentucky, a state law requires individuals who purchase medications that contain pseudophedrine to provide their information for entry into a computer database. Using this data, researchers compared the amount of the drug sold in each Kentucky county to the number of methamphetamine busts that police have on file.

In all of the Kentucky counties, researchers discovered a large correlation between pseudophedrine sales and meth busts. They found that an additional meth lab was busted when pseudophedrine sales increased to 13 grams per 100 people. These results also suggest that the computer database is able to determine where meth busts are likely to take place.

The restriction limit on pseudophedrine and the information requirement do not appear to be lowering methamphetamine production. Instead researchers have suggested providing evidence of a medical need for pseudophedrine sales to be authorized.

“Just a small amount of methamphetamine exposure can cause great harm to public health, as well as the environment,” states Scott Van Etten, CIH, EMSL Analytical’s National Director of Industrial Hygiene. “EMSL Analytical, a DEA licensed laboratory with locations nationwide, provides sensitive, quantitative testing to detect methamphetamine in environmental samples to protect individuals from exposure to the toxic chemical.”

“EMSL also provides Meth Wipe Kits so that those suspicious of methamphetamine in the environment can detect the substance themselves,” he continues.

For more information on EMSL’s testing services, please contact EMSL at (800) 220-3675, visit www.EMSL.com, or email  info@EMSL.com .

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