CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF PUBIC HEALTH’S

ROLE IN METH LAB AWARENESS

Connecticut Department of Public HealthEnvironmental and Occupational Health Assessment Program

Sharee M. Rusnak

WARNING SIGNS OF A METH LAB

• Unusual, strong odors (like cat urine, ammonia, and acetone).

• Residences with windows blacked out.• Renters who pay their landlords in cash.• Excessive traffic in and out of the residence. • Excessive trash such as: -Stained Coffee filters -Antifreeze Containers -Lantern Fuel Cans -Drain Cleaner -Duct Tape

WARNING SIGNS OF A METH LAB (Cont)

• Unusual amounts of clean glass containers• Secretive/protective area surrounding the

residence (video cameras, alarm system, guard dogs, reinforced doors, electric fencing).

• Persons exiting the residence to smoke• Little or no mail, furniture, or newspaper

delivery.

HOW CAN PEOPLE BE EXPOSED TO METH LAB

CONTAMINANTS?•Breathing air containing suspended contaminant particles or harmful vapors•Touching contaminated substances: -Bulk chemicals -Surfaces (floors, walls, carpet) -Furniture, bedding, etc.•Eating or drinking from contaminated glasses or dishes •Eating or smoking with contaminated hands•Drinking contaminated well water•Touching contaminated soil.

HEALTH EFFECTS FROM EXPOSURE TO METH LAB

CONTAMINANTS• Common symptoms

include: - Breathing problems - Respiratory irritation - Skin and eye irritation - Headaches - Nausea - Dizziness

• High Exposures Include:

-Severe lung damage -Skin or throat

damage -Damage to other vital organs -Death

Health Effects

• Depends on:

-The specific chemicals used

-The concentration of chemical used

-Length of exposure

-Health condition

-Route of Exposure (breathing, skin contact,etc)

WHAT ARE THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF METH LABS?

• Each pound of meth leaves 5-6 pounds of toxic waste.

• Residue can contaminate all property surfaces including:

-Furniture -Walls

-Appliances -Clothing

-Carpeting -Floors

• Leftover chemicals and by products dumped down sink and storm drains and onto the ground, contaminating drinking water wells, septic systems, and soil.

• Toxic meth by-products persist in environment

• Expensive cleanup costs

CHECK LIST FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

Assure all persons in the immediate area removed to a safe area-This may involve evacuation of the neighborhood.

Call for fire/hazmat to respond Call US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) immediately at

860-240-3233 (Hartford), 203-497-5200 (New Haven), and 203-579-5591 (Bridgeport)

Call the CT Department of Children and Families (CTDCF) hotline at 1-800-842-2288

Inform local health department, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CTDPH) at 860-509-7742, and the Connecticut Dept of Environmental Protection (CTDEP) at 424-3338 or 1-866-DEP-SPILL

CHECK LIST FOR FIRST RESPONDERS (Cont.)

Establish outer perimeter area, keep out unnecessary persons.

Lab ventilation only by certified personnel If you feel any of these symptoms, see medical

advice immediately: -Dizziness -Difficulty breathing -Confusion -Burning of the skin, lungs or other mucous membrane

DO NOT:

• Operate electrical devices • Stop a chemical reaction• Shut off the water supply• Smell, touch, move or open containers.• Smoke • Use flashbulbs. Use special photography

strobe equipment that has no possibility of generating a spark.

GUIDELINES FOR STAFF FROM OTHER AGENCIES

Do not enter contaminated area prior to ventilation, equipment, and chemical shutdown

Limiting time on-siteWear protective clothing Take measures to contain and eliminate exposureAvoid transporting contamination Seek medical care if needed

SPECIAL CONCERNS-CHILDREN

• Children are often malnourished, improperly clothed, and neglected.

• Many of them test positive for meth• Children are particularly susceptible because:

-Smaller

-Vulnerable during critical growth

stages

-The unborn fetus is most sensitive

SPECIAL CONCERNS-CHILDREN (Cont)

• Health effects (Meth) - Liver damage - Learning disabilities - Developmental abnormalities - Death • Officers should call the CT DCF hotline at: 1-800-842-2288 • May need to be decontaminated • Should have a complete physical

Clandestine Drug Labs Found in Connecticut and New England

• 4 in 2005

-New Fairfield (Meth)

-East Hampton (2 Meth)

-North Haven (PMA)• 2 In 2006

-Middletown (Meth)

-West Haven (MDA)

-Norwalk (Meth)• 18 Meth Labs in New England in 2005

CT DPH ACTIVITIES INVOLVING METH LABS

• Development of cleanup guidelines

• Educate local health depts. about meth labs

• Membership in CT Meth Task Force

• Presentations/trainings and fact sheets for first responders and child welfare workers

CURRENT ISSUES

• No formal response protocol

• State/local agencies not communicating with each other

• DEA not always notifying us

• Non-disclosure during property transfer

CTDPH’s CLEANUP GUIDELINES

• DEP/DEA will do the bulk cleanup• Residual cleanup is the responsibility of the property

owner• The residual contamination should be carefully

inspected and cleaned up according to: CTDPH’s Guidelines for the Cleanup of Former Connecticut Methamphetamine Labs.

• Sampling not generally emphasized

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Connecticut Department of Public HealthEnvironmental and Occupational Health Assessment Program

(860) 509-7742

Connecticut Methamphetamine Task Force Bob Brex (860) 779-9253