Meth Labs

Meth labs are a form of a drug lab that creates meth by using a assortment of materials, chemicals and ingredients that are commonly found in household cleaners and various other materials found in most residents.  A meth lab can be set up virtually anywhere, such as hotel/motel rooms, barns, apartments, restaurants, vacant or abandoned buildings, storage facilities or even in a mobile car or truck.

The ingredients to make meth are combined together and "cooked" in a meth lab.  Generally 4 to 8 pounds of chemical waste is produced for each pound of meth created.  Furthermore these harmful byproducts can remain on surfaces inside the lab for many years.  Therefore meth labs are considered to be highly toxic environments, requiring Quarantine and cleanup by hazmat teams or other hazardous waste workers.

Common Meth Lab Supplies

Most ingredients used to make meth are common ingredients that can be quickly and easily obtained.  The most common of these ingredients are over-the-counter asthma and cold medications, such as Sudafed and Benzedrex which have ephedrine or pseudoephedrine in the ingredients.  Ephedrine or pseudoephedrine  are used as decongestants or stimulants in those products.  Some other common supplies are Lithium batteries, hydrogen peroxide, rock salt, iodine, starter fluid, Ammonia, camp stove fuel, mason jars and plastic tubing.

Health Effects

Health effects associated with meth lab chemical exposure varies greatly, depending on the chemicals and process used to make meth.  The amount, and type of chemical the person was exposed to and the length of that exposure all play a part in the possible health effects.  Also the Health Effects depend greatly on the general health and age of the person that was exposed to the manufacturing process of meth.

The chemicals used to create meth can enter a persons body in a few different ways, it can be inhaled, ingested, or transferred through skin.  Acute exposure to meth lab chemicals can cause a variety of symptoms and ailments depending upon the chemicals and process used to create meth.  Acute exposure is defined as exposure over a short amount of time.

Acute exposure to chemicals found in meth labs can cause any of the following:

• difficulty breathing and shortness of breath
• tightness in the chest and chest pain
• lack of coordination and dizziness
• chemical burns or irritation which includes: burns to nose, skin, mouth, and eyes

Also, death is possible from acute exposure to the toxic chemicals used and created from making meth.  Though it is not likely to cause death it is possible if the person exposed is vulnerable or allergic to the chemicals used in the process.  Also acute exposure can occur in the cooks making the meth during or shortly after manufacturing it, if the proper equipment is not used, and in most cases, little or no safety equipment is used.

Meth Lab Warning Signs

There are many different warning signs of possible meth labs, which includes but not limited to a strong odor of chemicals and cleaners, blacked out or covered windows, chemical and solvent stains on fixtures, increased activity in the area(mostly at night), residents looking gaunt or sickly, and excessive trash.

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