meth labs defined - neha certnehacert.org/presentations/hm0601_pressley.pdf · 2009-04-24 · is...

Copyrighted Material ~ All Rights ReservedCourse Materials for NEHA-CERT Course HM0601

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Methamphetamine (Meth) Lab Decontamination:

A Review of Current Practices

Methamphetamine (Meth) Lab Decontamination:

A Review of Current Practices

Sheila D. Pressley, Assistant ProfessorEastern Kentucky University

National Environmental Health ConferenceSan Antonio, Texas

June 28, 2006

Sheila D. Pressley, Assistant ProfessorEastern Kentucky University

National Environmental Health ConferenceSan Antonio, Texas

June 28, 2006

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Meth Labs DefinedMeth Labs Defined

Illegal, clandestine setups Illegal, clandestine setups Highly addictive, synthetic drug Highly addictive, synthetic drug Ice, crystal meth, crank, other street namesIce, crystal meth, crank, other street namesProduced in various settings (homes, motels, Produced in various settings (homes, motels, motor vehicles, etc.) motor vehicles, etc.) Cold tablets, anhydrous ammonia and metalCold tablets, anhydrous ammonia and metalCold tablets, red phosphorous and iodine Cold tablets, red phosphorous and iodine

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Dangerous CombinationsDangerous Combinations

Gasoline, rubbing alcohol, antifreeze, drain Gasoline, rubbing alcohol, antifreeze, drain cleanercleanerHydrochloric, muriatic, or sulfuric acidHydrochloric, muriatic, or sulfuric acidVisual cluesVisual cluesMeth level detection in structuresMeth level detection in structuresDetection in occupantsDetection in occupants


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Is Meth Really a Problem?Is Meth Really a Problem?

Drug Endangered Drug Endangered Children (DEC)Children (DEC)CampaignsCampaignsONDCPONDCPRetailer PoliciesRetailer PoliciesSocial CluesSocial CluesState LawsState Laws

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Not MethNot Meth……Not OnceNot Once

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Is Meth Rural or Urban?Is Meth Rural or Urban?


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Meth Is MobileMeth Is Mobile

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Meth Is UglyMeth Is Ugly

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KentuckyKentuckyThe DEA's hazardous waste program, with the The DEA's hazardous waste program, with the assistance of the COPS program, supports and funds the assistance of the COPS program, supports and funds the cleanup of a majority of the laboratories seized in the cleanup of a majority of the laboratories seized in the United States. United States. Average cost per cleanup initially ~$17,000. Average cost per cleanup initially ~$17,000. Average cleanup cost dropped in 2002 ~$3,300Average cleanup cost dropped in 2002 ~$3,300Current average cost per cleanup is approximaCurrent average cost per cleanup is approximately tely $2,000$2,000Kentucky State Police established a pilot, clandestine lab Kentucky State Police established a pilot, clandestine lab ccontainer program with DEA in 2004 ontainer program with DEA in 2004 The current average cost of cleanup in this project is The current average cost of cleanup in this project is ~$350~$350

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What Does Decontamination What Does Decontamination Involve?Involve?

Collecting, packaging and removing hazardous chemicalsHauling the hazardous materials off site to a state approved waste disposal facilityRecycling usable materialRemediation by Licensed ContractorsCleanup Standards and Safe Workers (mg, ppm, ppb)Other recommendations are state specificCosts vary $750 - $11,000

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Overview of ProblemOverview of ProblemEmerging issueCleanup vs. decontaminationPosting warningsInforming the public of hazardsAssessing contamination Overseeing decontamination


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Routes of ExposureRoutes of Exposure

Inhalation Inhalation -- airwaysairwaysDermal Dermal -- skin absorptionskin absorptionIngestion Ingestion -- pica/by mouthpica/by mouthInjection Injection -- needles or broken glassneedles or broken glassAcute effectsAcute effectsChronic effectsChronic effects

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Chemical PropertiesChemical Properties

Corrosives and Irritants Corrosives and Irritants -- strong acids and strong acids and bases such as ammonia and perchloric bases such as ammonia and perchloric acidacidSolvents Solvents -- Acetone, Ether, and MethanolAcetone, Ether, and MethanolMetals and Salts Metals and Salts -- Iodine, Red Iodine, Red Phosphorous, and Lithium AluminumPhosphorous, and Lithium Aluminum

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Dangerous CombinationsDangerous Combinations

Gasoline, rubbing alcohol, antifreeze, drain Gasoline, rubbing alcohol, antifreeze, drain cleanercleanerHydrochloric, muriatic, or sulfuric acidHydrochloric, muriatic, or sulfuric acidVisual cluesVisual cluesMeth level detection in structuresMeth level detection in structuresDetection in occupantsDetection in occupants


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Typical Meth LabTypical Meth Lab

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Meth SuppliesMeth Supplies

Labs generate ~6Labs generate ~6--7 7 pounds of dangerous pounds of dangerous wastewasteOTC cold medications OTC cold medications generate $3 billion generate $3 billion per yearper yearCleanup costsCleanup costs1995 1995 -- $2 million$2 million2002 2002 -- $23.8 million$23.8 million

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Meth Cleanups Involve RiskMeth Cleanups Involve Risk

Special protective Special protective equipment and training equipment and training Risks from corrosive Risks from corrosive burns and asphyxiationburns and asphyxiationTToxic exposureoxic exposureFire and explosionFire and explosionToxic psychological Toxic psychological effects from exposure effects from exposure to methamphetamineto methamphetamine

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Basic Steps for CleanupBasic Steps for CleanupUse extreme caution and wear PPEEye protection during inspection and cleaning5 µg /ft2 - 0.5 µg /ft2

Clean all surfaces and the ventilation systemLeave plumbing to the expertsRecommend professional contractor

Air out property for 3Air out property for 3--5 5 daysdaysRemovalNeutralizationNeutralizationDetergent washingDetergent washingEncapsulation or Encapsulation or sealingsealingDrainage control and Drainage control and soil removal/treatmentsoil removal/treatment


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States and Meth CleanupStates and Meth Cleanup

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (LZW) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Map by Sheila D. Pressley

Sources: State legislation and SOPs on Meth labs

5/1/06

N⇑

Categories:

• Legislation

• Policies

• Recommendations

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ArizonaArizona

Defines various types of labs and locationsDefines various types of labs and locationsDrug lab site remediation firmsDrug lab site remediation firmsJoint legislative oversight committeeJoint legislative oversight committeeRecommendations seriously consideredRecommendations seriously consideredCleanup regulations are clear and conciseCleanup regulations are clear and concise

Source: A.R.S. 12Source: A.R.S. 12--990, 12990, 12--1000, 121000, 12--10011001

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CaliforniaCalifornia

Clandestine Drug Lab Removal ProgramClandestine Drug Lab Removal ProgramActions at more than 12,000 Actions at more than 12,000 illegal labsillegal labsSuper labs still a problemSuper labs still a problemStrict laws on cleanup Strict laws on cleanup Technical Safety Data Sheet systemTechnical Safety Data Sheet system

Source: Source: Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)Health and Safety code section 25354.5Health and Safety code section 25354.5


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ColoradoColorado

Extensive research on sampling meth labsExtensive research on sampling meth labsCleanup standard establishedCleanup standard establishedMeth - 0.5 µg /100 cm2

Iodine - 22 µg/100 cm2

Colorado Hazardous Waste RegulationsColorado Solid Waste RegulationsWater Quality Control Commission Regulations

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MinnesotaMinnesota

Cleanup guidelines onlyEnforced by county ordinanceRecommended contractorsCDL Revolving Loan FundRecent comparison sampling on methods

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MontanaMontana

MCPMCPStrong campaign against methStrong campaign against methNationally recognized adsNationally recognized adsWorks with property ownersWorks with property ownersWeb site posts former meth lab locationsWeb site posts former meth lab locationsMCP provides training and reviews MCP provides training and reviews assessmentassessment


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North CarolinaNorth CarolinaResponsible partiesResponsible partiesPrePre--Decontamination AssessmentDecontamination AssessmentDecontaminationDecontaminationPostPost--Decontamination AssessmentDecontamination AssessmentEnforcement Enforcement -- LHDsLHDs

Sources: NC G.S. 130A-284, SUBCHAPTER 41D – METHAMPHETAMINE DECONTAMINATION

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OregonOregon

Licensed ContractorsLicensed ContractorsSite AssessmentSite AssessmentThird Party Sampling Third Party Sampling Work Plan Work Plan Confirmation of Decon Confirmation of Decon ProcessProcessCertificate of FitnessCertificate of Fitness

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WashingtonWashington

Strong cleanup lawsStrong cleanup lawsTacoma Pierce CountyTacoma Pierce CountyApproved contractorsApproved contractorsTraining and certificationTraining and certification


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Other States With Cleanup LawsOther States With Cleanup Laws

IowaIowaNorth DakotaNorth DakotaSouth DakotaSouth DakotaKansasKansasMissouriMissouri

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Other States to WatchOther States to Watch

TennesseeTennesseeOklahomaOklahomaIdahoIdaho

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Prevention is the key.Prevention is the key.……


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Thank You!Thank You!Sheila D. Pressley, M.S., REHSEastern Kentucky University

Environmental Health Science Dept.521 Lancaster Avenue220 Dizney Building

Richmond, KY 40475Email: [email protected]

Phone: 859 622-6339

Sheila D. Pressley, M.S., REHSEastern Kentucky University

Environmental Health Science Dept.521 Lancaster Avenue220 Dizney Building

Richmond, KY 40475Email: [email protected]

Phone: 859 622-6339

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Conclusions and Conclusions and RecommendationsRecommendations

Uniform meth cleanup regulationsUniform meth cleanup regulationsFederal legislationFederal legislationMore research on various sampling and More research on various sampling and cleanup methodscleanup methodsHealth studies/tracking (adults & children)Health studies/tracking (adults & children)Establish health based standardsEstablish health based standardsStronger drug lawsStronger drug laws

meth labs defined - neha certnehacert.org/presentations/hm0601_pressley.pdf · 2009-04-24 · is...

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