Clandestine Meth Labs and Building Occupant Exposure Hazards

Methamphetamine, commonly referred to as meth, is a potent synthetic drug that stimulants the central nervous system. Due to its high potential for abuse, methamphetamine is classified as a Schedule II drug.

While much of the meth abused in the United States now comes from drug trafficking organizations that manufacture it in foreign super labs, it is still made domestically in clandestine labs located throughout the country. Over the years, meth labs have been found in everything from homes, apartments, RVs and hotel rooms to businesses and rural farms.

The chemicals used in the production of meth include flammable and volatile solvents. Acetone, ammonium nitrate, anhydrous ammonia, camping fuel, ether, hydriodic acid, hydrogen chloride gas, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, isopropyl alcohol, lithium metal, methanol, mineral spirits, muriatic acid, pseudoephedrine, red phosphorous, sodium hydroxide, sodium metal, sulfuric acid, and toluene are just some of the common ingredients.

“During the manufacturing of meth, properties often become heavily contaminated with the hazardous ingredients, waste byproducts and/or end product,” said Derrick A. Denis, Vice President of Indoor Environmental Quality for Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “Because labs must acquire raw ingredients from noncommercial sources, every pound of meth manufactured yields around nine pounds of waste. A meth manufacturer, or any clandestine drug manufacturer, has little regard for the condition of the built environment or the outdoors. Spilled or vaporized residues impact surfaces and contaminate contents and structural materials including HVAC systems, floors, beds, plumbing and walls. When law enforcement busts a lab, they may take the jugs and jars, but they do not clean up the site. Anyone, including future building occupants, can be exposed to the hazards left behind. At CSC, our environmental and industrial hygiene professionals help to detect toxic chemicals and meth residues, identify exposure risks, and confirm the efficacy of remediation efforts.”

CSC recently sponsored an educational video about meth labs and building occupant exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/Mt_P591sBAo

To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, building science, environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118.

About Clark Seif Clark
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational, environmental, and health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.

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Paul Cochrane

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Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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