Chemical Hazards Left Behind in Properties Used as Clandestine Meth Labs

Two men were recently arrested by officers of a county sheriff’s department in Southwest Michigan after the discovery of a meth lab in a home, according to multiple media outlets. To safely dismantle and dispose of the meth lab, officers from a special unit of the Michigan State Police were called in to help.

Several toxic chemicals are used to make methamphetamine. These can be a serious threat to first responders, current occupants, and even for future building occupants if the chemicals and residues created during the meth lab production have not been thoroughly remediated.

Chemicals commonly used in manufacturing meth include flammable and volatile solvents such as methanol, ether, benzene, methylene chloride, and trichloroethane. Other chemicals may include muriatic acid, sodium hydroxide, and ammonia.

“A number of these toxic chemicals can contaminate carpets, wallboard, ceiling tiles, furniture, and fabrics that absorb spilled or vaporized chemicals,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Surface residues can also remain long after the property was used as a clandestine laboratory. This is especially concerning for people that may move into a property in the future and have no idea it was once used as a meth lab, putting themselves and their children at risk.”

Helping property owners, landlords, tenants, facility managers, law enforcement, real estate professionals, environmental consultants, and regulatory agencies to detect these chemical hazards are the scientists at EMSL Analytical, Inc. With laboratories across the United States and Canada, EMSL offers testing services to identify surface residues, bulk chemicals, and air quality exposure risks. They also provide sampling supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE), and easy-to-use test kits.

To learn more about methamphetamine chemical, residue, and indoor air quality testing, please visit www.EMSL.com, email  info@EMSL.com , or call (800) 220-3675. To obtain a Methamphetamine Test Kit to detect surface residues, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products, and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP, and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail