Clandestine methamphetamine labs in Wisconsin.

  "Criminal charges are expected today against a Menasha man suspected
  of operating a methamphetamine production lab in his ... home."
  (Collar, 2003)
    "It was an anonymous tip that led drug investigators to a house in
  Little Chute where a meth lab was discovered."
  (WLUK Fox 11, 2003)
    "In early October, more than 20 state and local agents busted a meth
  lab in remote northwest Waupaca County that was in the process of
  cooking drugs."
  (Lee, 2002)

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

News reports like these are becoming more and more common in local broadcasts in Wisconsin and throughout the United States. Clandestine drug use and methamphetamine labs are on the rise. Methamphetamine can be produced with a variety of household products, in a small space, and in a relatively short amount of time. As a result, meth labs are being discovered in hotel rooms, storage units, fields, vacant buildings, campers, trunks of automobiles, and rural homes throughout Wisconsin.

Once a criminal investigation has been completed, local public health officials are responsible for declaring the area fit for reoccupancy and use. Even after the chemical waste has been removed, however, hazardous residual contamination may be present. The methamphetamine-manufacturing process is a new topic about which many professionals in the field of public health have minimal knowledge. Public health officials often receive a methamphetamine crash course when a lab is found in their jurisdiction.

In 2002, the number of methamphetamine labs seized in Wisconsin almost doubled, from 44 in 2001, to 86. Because of its strong addictive properties, methamphetamine is the most common clandestine drug. It is known as "speed," "crank," "crystal," "meth," or "ice." The name used can vary, depending on the how the drug is used and the geographic location of the user. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy reports that "according to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 2002, 5.3% (over 12 million people) of the U.S. population reported trying methamphetamine at least once in their lifetime. The highest rate of methamphetamine use was among the 26 to 34 age group, with 6.7% reporting lifetime methamphetamine use during 2002" (2003). The same survey found that 5.7 percent of the 18-to-25 age group reported lifetime use of methamphetamine. Meth users snort, swallow, inject intravenously, or smoke the drug.

The method used depends on the way the user wants to feel. Smoking or injecting meth provides an immediate pleasurable feeling known as a "rush" or "flash" along with the high. This extreme euphoria lasts only a couple of minutes, however. Snorting gives the user a high within three to five minutes, but no rush or flash. When meth is ingested, the high is reached in 15 or 20 minutes, without the intense feeling (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2002). Depending on the purity of the drug, meth can produce a high lasting up to 12 hours (White House Office of National Drug Control Policy).

Methamphetamine is a strong stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It stimulates excessive release "of the neurotransmitter dopamine into the areas of the brain that regulate feelings of pleasure" (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2002).

As a result of the sensation of extreme pleasure, many users often fall into the "binge and crash" pattern, binging to maintain the high at the same level for some length of time. Binging can continue for three to 15 days (Chesley, 1999). During this time, the abuser has to take larger and larger doses of meth to achieve the same feeling that occurred with the initial exposure. When the drug no longer produces the rush or high feeling, the tweaking phase is reached. The user may start to take other drugs, such as alcohol and heroin, to achieve the euphoria feeling. The drug addict is considered most dangerous during the tweaking phase because he or she will do anything to try to maintain the high.

Because of the stimulant properties of methamphetamine, a person hooked on meth does not sleep for days or weeks. The body can no longer continue, however, when it reaches a stage of exhaustion. At this point, the user crashes and sleeps for hours or even days. The entire cycle begins again when the abuser receives another fix.

The drug causes numerous side effects. After short-term abuse, a user has a decreased appetite, increased energy, alertness, and insomnia. Violent behavior, anxiety, confusion, paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, and homicidal thoughts are commonly seen when meth is chronically abused. Methamphetamine can take a toll on the physical features and appearance of the user. Weight loss, gaunt appearance, poor hygiene, rotten teeth, scars, and open sores are frequent side effects of meth. Hallucinations of bugs crawling on the skin (crank bugs) cause the drug addict to continually scratch the skin or cut flesh to remove the insects. The harmful aspects of methamphetamine stretch beyond the user and affect people in the surrounding environment. Children are commonly victims of abuse, malnutrition, drug exposure, sexual abuse, chemical inhalation, and neglect. Domestic violence usually occurs when a person is using meth.

Before methamphetamine was associated with clandestine drug operations, it was known as an amphetamine by-product. Amphetamines were first discovered in 1887 by a German pharmacologist (Chesley, 1999). In 1919, a Japanese pharmacologist, A. Ogata, synthesized amphetamine to produce methamphetamine (Burton, 1991). With the new discovery, amphetamine was released to the market in 1932 as Benzedrine, a nonprescription nasal inhaler whose purpose was to combat congestion. People who used the inhalers quickly experienced the strong and addictive stimulant properties amphetamine had on the central nervous system. In 1937, the drug became available in a tablet form and was available through a prescription. Because of its unique properties, amphetamine quickly became the "cure-all" medication and was prescribed to treat a variety of conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, narcolepsy, Parkinson's disease, depression, seasickness, sexual dysfunction, and asthma (Chesley, 1999). Similarly, during World War II, soldiers were issued amphetamine to improve performance and extend endurance. Abuse of the drug soon became apparent in the 1950s, when the amphetamine tablets and nasal-spray bottles were being obtained for nonmedical purposes. Users acquired the prescription drug through fraud and the black market. College students, athletes, truckers, and weight-conscious women found amphetamine useful to extend alertness and to spur weight loss.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began to prosecute individuals who sold the drug without prescriptions. Further constraints were placed on amphetamine and methamphetamine use when the Controlled Substance Act (CSA) was passed in 1970. This legislation labeled amphetamine and methamphetamine as a Schedule II controlled substance. CSA defines a Schedule II controlled substance as a drug that has a high potential for abuse, which can lead to severe psychological or physical dependence, but can be used for medical treatments with proper restrictions. Even with the passage of the CSA, amphetamine and methamphetamine were still being prescribed to users without a valid medical condition. FDA adopted further restrictions by limiting amphetamine use to patients with narcolepsy, children diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, and those with morbid obesity.

When methamphetamine stopped being widely available, users began to illicitly manufacture the drug. In the beginning, meth was not difficult to produce. All a user needed was a recipe and the ability to follow directions. Hundreds of substances and recipes are available to a cooker for the production of meth. As Burton (1991) writes, "although only a few chemicals may be required for production, there are multiple reagents and precursors that can be substituted for those that are difficult to obtain legally." As an example, the early clandestine chemists used phenyl-2-propanone (P2P) as a precursor in a simple single-step production of meth. In early 1980, however, P2P was put on the Schedule II controlled substance list by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) (DEA, 1999). Meth users found alternative chemicals for production. With more chemicals required for methamphetamine manufacturing, however, the steps become more complex. As a result, there is an increased possibility of chemical injuries to the novice clandestine chemist and of a potential toxic drug contamination. In 1988, 12 meth users in Oregon were diagnosed with lead poisoning. The mean blood lead level of the patients "was 146 [micro]g/dL [micrograms per deciliter], with a range from 49 [micro]g/dL to 513 [micro]g/dL" (Burton, 1991). One of the meth patients had a sample of the contaminated drug, and the analysis revealed that it contained 60 percent lead.

Various basic chemicals are needed and used for meth production in a clandestine lab. Many of the chemicals can be found in any household and have numerous legitimate uses. When mixed together for illicit use by a drug abuser, however, the chemicals can become highly volatile.

Chemical availability and accessibility conditions have caused meth cookers to adapt how the drug is produced. The cooking methods have evolved since precursor ingredients have become more difficult to obtain as a result of laws and increased awareness. With minor adaptations and changes, methamphetamine can be made from one of two primary precursors, P2P or ephedrine. Since the passage of the CSA made it illegal to obtain or purchase P2P in the United States, the use of P2P as a precursor in clandestine meth labs has diminished considerably. Ephedrine reduction has filled the void and is now the method most commonly used for illicit manufacturing. Meth users are able to extract the needed ephedrine or pseudoephedrine from cold tablets and nasal decongestants, which can be purchased over the counter.

When ephedrine is used as a precursor, methamphetamine can be made with one of two common processes, NAZI (birch reduction) and cold process (red phosphorous). Both methods have similar steps, but they differ in the ingredients used. The NAZI method uses anhydrous ammonia and lithium midway through the process. Replacing anhydrous ammonia and lithium with iodine and red phosphorous creates the cold process.

Producing meth requires simple tools and crude apparatuses. The usual items seized at a meth lab include coffee filters, Pyrex containers, mason jars, soda bottles, foil, thermos containers, hot plates, and pails. These items all have legitimate household uses and can be found throughout a home. When, however, they are found in a trunk of a car or are located in a kitchen with the containers holding unknown chemical substances, illicit meth production use can be assumed.

Because of the quantities of chemicals used to produce meth, the labs are extremely hazardous. They are hazardous not only for the cooker, but also for other occupants of a building and the individuals who discover and criminally investigate a clandestine lab. Many agencies have a responsibility to respond when a methamphetamine lab is discovered. In Wisconsin, these agencies include Child Protective Services, to provide care if children are present, and Public Health to issue cleanup orders; the Narcotics Bureau, in the Division of Narcotics Enforcement of the Wisconsin Department of Justice, is responsible for dismantling a meth lab. Dismantling involves conducting a criminal investigation, identifying substances, removing the hazardous chemicals, and discarding contaminated materials.

The author discussed the role of the Narcotics Bureau in depth during an interview with Cynthia K. Giese, special agent in charge of the Narcotics Bureau. Dismantling is the first and most crucial phase of a meth lab investigation. Ms. Giese explained that the criminal investigation of a meth lab usually begins with an initial report from the local law enforcement agency to the Narcotics Bureau. The Narcotics Bureau then obtains a search warrant for the suspected premise. Because of the possibility of surprising a paranoid and delusional meth user, the Narcotics Bureau assesses the situation to determine the best time to conduct the search. This step can eliminate the potential for risk and injury to the officers entering the premise. (There have been reports of meth users throwing chemicals and other hazardous substances at officers to prevent arrest.) A site safety officer moves onto the site to evaluate the situation and develop a plan for entering the premises. At this point, the site safety officer determines how many officers are necessary for the search and what level of personal protective equipment (PPE) is needed. When the chemical hazard is high, the officers wear Tychem suits and self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs). Tape is applied to wrists and ankles to make a complete seal. Officers wear air-purifying respirators, eye protection, and Nomex clothing if the chemical hazard is minimal. During the planning phase, the ambulance and fire department are called on site to respond to emergencies.

Once the search warrant is executed, the officers swiftly enter the premise and remove any people inside. While moving through the premise, the officers quickly evaluate the situation and open the windows to ventilate the home. An Assessment Team, usually consisting of two officers, enters the premises to gather more information regarding the status of the lab and its contents. The information is then relayed to the site safety officer and a team of officers outside. The site safety officer evaluates all the information received from the Assessment Team and develops a plan for dismantling the meth lab. Officers are assigned duties to sample chemicals and photograph the crime scene. When the chemicals are sampled and identified, the items are moved outside. All chemicals seized are separated into categories: acids, bases, and unknown. Many chemicals found during a methamphetamine raid cannot be identified on site and are considered unknown, according to Giese.

Once the chemicals are separated, the items need to be properly disposed. The Narcotics Bureau has a contract with a hazardous waste company to remove the chemicals and contaminated substances. The waste trucks usually come from large cities located out of state.

While officers are dismantling the meth lab, other officers begin the process of decontaminating the individuals found during the raid. These individuals are ordered to remove all clothing and shoes. All items worn at the time of the seizure are discarded. Wallets are kept and used during the interviewing phase. During interviewing, personal information is collected, and details regarding the meth operation are revealed.

If children are present during the search, Child Protective Services is immediately contacted. The Humane Society is called if pets are found on site. When processing and dismantling are completed, the residence is secured and the premise placarded. Notification about the methamphetamine lab is given to the Department of Natural Resources to address environmental issues, and local health departments are alerted to begin issuing cleanup orders.

Local health departments are responsible for assessing and eliminating hazards created by a clandestine meth operation. Producing one batch of methamphetamine generates a chemical mess in the immediate and surrounding areas. Meth cookers spill chemicals, improperly discard unwanted substances, and produce hazardous fumes. The process of evaluating the premises and issuing cleanup orders can be very difficult for public health officials who are not sure what to look for. Because illicit methamphetamine labs are an emerging problem, no official guidance or regulations are available to assist during cleanup. Cleanup situations can differ for each clandestine methamphetamine lab. The Wisconsin Division of Public Health (DPH) has, however, released "Cleaning Up Hazardous Chemicals at Former Meth Labs" (2000) for use by local health departments. The information given below is excerpted and adapted from the DPH guidelines. Departments may find this information helpful for assessing sites and issuing cleanup orders.

From the DPH Guidelines

What Chemicals Are Used to Make Meth?

Most chemical processes used for manufacturing meth involve flammable volatile organic compounds (VOCs), acids, bases, metals, and inorganic salts. Many steps are involved in the methamphetamine manufacturing (or cooking) process; it's during "cooking" that additional chemicals are formed.

As a result of cooking, different chemicals may contaminate a property. Some materials may actually absorb the chemicals. For example, carpeting, wallboard, ceiling tile, and fabric may soak up the chemicals. Furniture or drapery also may become contaminated. If meth residues enter a heating or air-conditioning ventilation system, other areas in a building can become contaminated. Soil or groundwater may become contaminated if chemicals are dumped into a septic system or onto the ground.

Will Exposure to Chemicals in a Meth Lab Result in Harmful Health Effects?

A health effect from chemical exposure depends on several factors: the quantity and nature of the chemical(s) present, the length of exposure, and the personal health of the person exposed. Exposure to meth residues may cause symptoms similar to those experienced by meth users. Exposure to VOCs may cause symptoms such as nose and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and breathing difficulties. Benzene is a VOC known to cause cancer.

Acids or bases cause a burning sensation in the skin and mucous membranes, and can cause severe eye damage. Exposure to metals and chemical salts can cause a wide range of health effects, including respiratory irritation, decreased mental function, anemia, and kidney damage.

What Is an Acceptable Cleanup Level?

There are no pre-determined cleanup levels for many chemicals associated with meth labs. A risk assessment may be necessary to evaluate the potential for exposure on a case-by-case basis.

Until a former meth lab is cleaned up, no one should enter the area without appropriate protective equipment. Furthermore, no one should rent, purchase, or occupy a former meth lab property until proper cleanup has occurred.

What Kind of Personal Protective Equipment Is Needed for Preventing Chemical Exposure?

At a minimum, all people entering a former meth lab should wear protective eye, hand, and foot covering. Disposable gloves (of a material such as latex or nitrile) and a disposable protective jumpsuit are recommended. In addition, if toxic gases are suspected, a self-contained breathing apparatus should be used.

What Kind of Sampling Is Necessary? Who Should Do It?

When materials are left behind at a meth lab, sampling may be needed to determine whether a hazard exists. Since meth can be made in a variety of ways, each situation is unique. Different manufacturing methods use different chemicals, so identifying the method used can help determine the appropriate sampling method.

If sampling is necessary, it should be done according to OSHA standards. Preferably, a certified industrial hygienist should be consulted before any sampling is done.

What Are the Meth Lab Contaminants?

There are many different "recipes" for making meth, each using different ingredients. Many chemicals used in meth labs are common in most homes. These household chemicals include isopropyl alcohol, ether, benzene, methylene chloride, trichloroethane, toluene, muriatic acid, sodium hydroxide, table salt, and ammonia. Common meth-related chemicals that are not often found in homes in large amounts include solvents, anhydrous ammonia, red phosphorous, iodine, and reactive metals.

How Can a Meth Lab Be Cleaned Up?

Since illegal drug labs are an emerging problem, there is currently no official guidance or regulation for cleanup of former meth labs in homes. DPH is working to find an answer that will protect the public and be practical for property owners. Situations are different in each meth lab. Sometimes only scrubbing and painting is necessary to turn a former meth lab back into a safe living environment. Sometimes contamination is so broad and extensive that the inside of the home needs complete renovation. Responses across the country to the cleanup of these properties have ranged from doing nothing to complete demolition.

DPH believes the safest way to clean up a former meth lab is to hire environmental companies trained in hazardous substance removal and cleanup. Owners who clean properties on their own should be aware that household building materials and furniture can absorb contaminants and give off fumes. They should use caution and wear clothing to protect their skin, such as gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection.

General Cleanup Guidelines

Air Out the Property

After law enforcement officials seize a lab, professionals trained to handle hazardous materials are called in to remove lab waste and any bulk chemicals. During removal, every effort is made to air out the property for the safety of the removal crew. For security reasons, the property is usually closed upon their departure. The short-term airing out may not be sufficient to clear the solvents remaining inside. The property also should be aired out for several days before and during cleaning.

To promote the evaporation and dispersal of spilled solvents, windows and doors may be closed and the temperature inside the home increased to approximately 90[degrees]F (32[degrees]C) for a few days. After cleaning and heating are complete, the property should be aired out for three to five more days to allow any solvents to disperse from the building. Open all the windows in the building and set up exhaust fans to circulate air to the outside. During this time, the property should remain off limits unless short visits are necessary.

After the cleaning and the final three to five days of airing out, the property should be checked for re-staining and odors, which indicate that the initial cleaning was not successful and that further, more extensive steps, should be taken.

Contamination Removal and Disposal

During the meth cooking process, vapors are given off that can spread and be absorbed by nearby materials. Splashed and spilled chemicals, supplies, and equipment can further contaminate nonlab items. It's a good idea to remove unnecessary items from the property and dispose of them properly. Items that are visibly contaminated should be removed, double-bagged and properly disposed of.

If you find suspicious containers or lab equipment at the property, do not handle them. Leave the area and contact your local law enforcement agency or fire department. It's possible some items may accidentally have been left behind by law enforcement. If a hazardous materials cleanup team searched the property, the items probably are not dangerous. Some items, however, may have been overlooked in the debris or confusion.

Absorbent materials, such as carpeting, drapes, clothing, furniture, and so forth, can accumulate vapors, dust, or splattered chemicals during cooking. It's recommended that these materials be discarded, especially if an odor or discoloration is present.

Inspect Surfaces

Surfaces such as walls, counters, floors, and ceilings are porous and can hold contamination from the meth cooking or preparation process. Cleanup is very important because people may come in frequent contact with these surfaces through skin contact, food preparation, and so forth.

If a surface has visible contamination or staining, or it gives off odors, complete removal and replacement of the surface is recommended. This step could include removal and replacement of wallboard, floor coverings, and counters.

Appliances in which meth was stored or cooked, such as refrigerators, kitchen ranges, or ovens, should be prudently evaluated for disposal and replacement. If discarding is not feasible, intensive cleaning followed by the application of a physical barrier such as paint or epoxy is recommended. These areas should be monitored and the barrier maintained to ensure that the contamination is contained.

Wear gloves, protective clothing such as long sleeves, and eye protection while cleaning. Again, ventilation of the property should be continued throughout the cleaning process.

Inspect Ventilation System

Ventilation systems (e.g., heating, air conditioning) tend to collect fumes and dust and redistribute them throughout a home. Vents, ductwork, filters, and even the walls and ceilings near ventilation ducts can become contaminated. Replace all the air filters in the system, remove and clean vents, clean the surfaces near system inlets and outlets, and clean the ductwork.

Inspect Plumbing

While some of the waste products generated during meth manufacture may be thrown along the sides of roads or into yards, most are dumped down sinks, drains, and toilets. These waste products can collect in drains, traps, and septic tanks and give off fumes.

If a strong chemical odor is coming from household plumbing, do not attempt to address the problem yourself; contact a plumbing contractor for professional assistance. If you suspect the septic tank or yard may be contaminated, contact the local health department.

Repainting

When a surface has been cleaned, painting of that surface should be considered, especially in areas where contamination was found or suspected.

If any contamination remains after cleaning, painting puts a barrier between the contamination and anyone who may come in contact with the surface. Painting is important even on areas that people do not normally touch; the paint covers up and "locks" the contamination onto the surface, reducing the chances of release into the air.

Summary of Steps for Cleanup

1. Determine if the property was used for meth production.

2. Air out the property before and during cleanup.

3. Remove and dispose of all unnecessary items.

4. Remove visibly contaminated items or items that have an odor.

5. Clean all surfaces using household cleaning methods and proper personal protection.

6. Clean the ventilation system.

7. Leave plumbing cleaning to the experts.

8. Air out the property for three to five days.

9. If odor or staining remains, have the home evaluated by a professional.

Should Testing Be Done After Cleanup?

If, after cleaning of a residence, the property owners are concerned about any remaining contamination, or if the property still has an odor or visible staining, or causes physical irritation to those exposed, it is advisable for them to have the property evaluated and tested. Also, if they are concerned about liability issues, they should consider having the property tested. Sampling is an expensive option, but it may provide peace of mind for property owners and families. Property owners may want to contact their insurance carriers for advice and assistance.

Law enforcement and public health professionals believe the problems and concerns regarding clandestine methamphetamine labs will increase over time. To address additional concerns, the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the Wisconsin Division of Public Health are developing guidance procedures and expanding initiatives. In a press release in May 2003, Attorney General Peg Lauten-schlager revealed a new initiative, the Wisconsin Meth Initiative. The goal is to properly train and certify local authorities to respond when a meth lab is found. Because of the increased number of methamphetamine labs seized in Wisconsin, resources for dismantling the labs are limited. Currently, 100 local and state officers are trained to dismantle and respond to clandestine labs. The initiative would redirect $1.3 million from a federal grant to provide a trained law enforcement official in every county (Wilson, 2003). Proper PPE also will be provided to the local authorities. A separate portion of the grant will be used to train first responders, such as fire departments, emergency personnel, and local health departments. Finally, grant money will be used to launch an educational promotion informing the community about methamphetamine use. Farmers, store owners, and adults will be alerted to the over-the-counter products that are used for illicit meth manufacturing and will be encouraged to report incidents to local authorities.

The Wisconsin Division of Public Health also is working to update and expand the remediation guidelines for a methamphetamine operation. The procedures may include PPE for local health officials, information regarding the type of medical evaluation needed when children are found during a meth investigation, recommendations for chemical tests, and general sanitation issues. The updated procedures are projected to be available sometime in 2004.

Methamphetamine is a dangerous and highly addictive drug. It can cause havoc and harm not only to the user but also to the surrounding community, the environment, and the officials who respond to meth lab situations. With the new Meth Initiative and the revised remediation guidelines, Wisconsin is advancing the effort to reduce the hazards associated with illicit methamphetamine production.

(Adapted, with permission, from WEHA News, a publication of the Wisconsin Environmental Health Association, July 2003.)

REFERENCES

Burton, B.T. (1991). Heavy metal and organic contaminants associated with illicit methamphetamine production. National Institute on Drug Abuse Research Monograph Series, Methamphetamine Abuse: Epidemiologic Issues and Implications, 115. http://www.nida.nih.gov/pdf/monographs/download115.html (9 May 2003).

Chesley, M.R. (1999). Methamphetamines: an epidemic of clandestine labs and health risk (pp. 41-62). http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/meth/materialssection5.pdf (9 May 2003).

Collar, J. (2003, May 7). Methamphetamine lab charges expected today. Oshkosh Northwestern, p. C2.

Hugart J. (2000). Chemical hazards related to clandestine drug laboratories, pages 7-12. http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/meth/materialssection5.pdf (9 May 2003).

Lee, J. (2002, Nov. 9). Alert stores help state try to stem meth tide. The Post-Crescent, p. A1.

National Institute on Drug Abuse (2002). Methamphetamine abuse and addiction. National Institute on Drug Abuse Research Report Series. http://www.drugabuse.gov/PDF/RRMetham.pdf (9 May 2003).

Publishers Group, LLC. (2002). Meth Labs Emergency Responder Resource Guide. [Brochure]. Plymouth, MN: Author.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (1999). DEA History: 1980-1985. http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/history/deahistory_03.htm (23 May 2003)

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. (2003). Methamphet-amine. http://whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/methamphetamine/meth_b.html. (30 Sept. 2003).

Wilson, D. (2003, May 24). State cranks up war against drugs. The Post-Crescent. p. B1.

Wisconsin Division of Public Health, Bureau of Environmental Health. (2000). Cleaning up hazardous chemicals at former labs. http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/eh/hlthhaz/index.htm (23 May 2003).

WLUK Fox 11. (2003, Jan. 30). Meth lab busted. http://wluk.com/common/article.shtml?article_id=1043953669042761 (24 May 2003).

RELATED ARTICLE: Chemicals Used for Manufacturing Meth

Ephedrine (cold tablets)

Pseudoephedrine (cold tablets)

Acetone 

Alchol (isopropyl or rubbing)

Toluene (brake cleaner)

Ether (engine starter)

Sulfuric acid (drain cleaner)

Methanol/alcohol (gasoline additives)

Salt (table or rock)

Lithium (batteries)

Anhydrous ammonia (farm fertilizer)

Sodium hydroxide (lye)

Red phosphorous (matches or road flares)

Muriatic acid

Iodine (teat dip or flakes/crystal)

Trichloroethane (gun scrubber)

Sodium metal

MSM (cutting agent)

Source: Publishers Group, LLC (2002).

Corresponding Author: Natalie Vandeveld, Environmental Health Sanitarian, Outagamie County Public Health Division, 401 S. Elm Street, Appleton, WI 54911. E-mail: [e-mail].

Natalie Vandeveld, R.S., M.S.