Clandestine Meth Labs

1. Clandestine Meth Labs Ken Niswonger, Senior Chemist Compliance Assistance and Technical Support Unit Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division Colorado Department of Public Health And Environment

2. Meth Production in Colorado • Growing problem • Clandestine meth lab seizures in Colorado: • 150 in 1999 • 264 in 2000 • 452 in 2001

5. What is Methamphetamine?

6. What is Methamphetamine? • Powerful, addictive stimulant drug • Illegally “cooked” in makeshift labs • Pills, capsules, powder or chunks • Smoked, snorted, injected, or eaten • a.k.a. crank, speed, crystal or ice • Euphoria, paranoia, anxiety, aggression

7. Most Common Methods of Clandestine Production of Methamphetamine

8. Meth Production Epidemic Related to Routes using Pseudoephedrine

9. Prevalent Clandestine Production of Methamphetamine

10. Prevalent Clandestine Production of Methamphetamine Nagai: HI and red P, Acid XI and Red P, or XI and H2PO2 Birch: Li or Na metal + NH 3 (gas) Rosenmund: H2 (gas) + Pd ,Ga etc Emde: SOCl2 or PCl5 + LiAlH4

11. Prevalent Clandestine Production of Methamphetamine Nagai: HI and red P, Acid XI and Red P, or XI and H2PO2 Birch: Li or Na metal + NH 3 (gas)

12. Prevalent Clandestine Production of Methamphetamine Red Phosphorus , Red, White, and Blue Method “ HI “ Method Ammonia Method “Nazi” Shake and Bake Method

13. What is the Concern ? Active Meth Labs: • Danger of fire and explosion • Chemical spills • Inhalation of solvents, corrosives, toxic gases • “Booby traps” • Waste disposal

14. What is the Concern ? Active Meth Labs:

15. What is the Concern ? Active Meth Labs:

16. What is the Concern ? • Former Meth Labs: • Vapors • Chemical residues • Methamphetamine residues • Waste Disposal

17. Equipment Used in Meth Production • Pyrex or Corning dishes • Plastic or rubber tubing • Rubber gloves • Glass containers (all types) • Funnels • Propane tanks • Coffee filters • Hot plates

21. How is Meth Produced? • Basic Process: • Solvent extraction of ephedrine • Filter out and evaporate or cook off solvent • “Cook” – Red Phosphorous or Nazi method • Solvent extraction of meth base • Separate solvent layer with meth • “Salt out” meth using hydrogen chloride gas

30. Production Chemicals Red P Method Nazi Ephedrine or pseudoephedrine (cold tablets) HI, HCl, H2SO4,, H2PO2 Anhy Ammonia Acetic and H3PO4 Li/Na metal NaOH and NaCl HCl, H2SO4 Red P and Iodine NaCl Host of Solvents Host of Solvents Hydrogen peroxide

32. By-products and Contaminants • Iodine/iodinated compounds • Phosphine gas (from overheating) • Yellow or white phosphorous (from overheating) • Hydriodic acid gas • Hydrogen chloride gas • Phosphoric acid gas • Meth residues

33. Warning Signs of Suspected Meth Labs • Strong or unusual odors: solvents, ammonia, ether-like, vinegar-like, pungent, acrid or sour • Discoloration of structures, pavement or soil • Increased activity, especially at night • Unusual security systems or other devices

34. Potential Areas of Contamination • Primary Areas: • Processing or “cooking” areas • Disposal areas • Storage areas

36. Potential Areas of Contamination • Secondary Areas: • Locations where contamination has migrated • Common areas in multiple dwelling structures • Common ventilation or plumbing systems

37. Authority to Require Cleanup • Currently no state statute that specifically authorizes state or local authorities to require cleanup • Some local agencies have independent authority to require cleanup • House Bill 1115 would have created statewide authority for local governments to require cleanup • House Bill 1115 would have authorized the State Board of Health to establish cleanup levels

39. Cleanup of Meth Labs • Developing guidance on cleanup procedures and levels • Structures: • General cleanup • Indoor air • Outdoor storage and/or disposal areas: • Soil • Groundwater • Surface water

40. Cleanup Levels for Structures • CDPHE has health-based indoor air levels for only a few of the meth lab contaminants • CDPHE proposed cleanup level for meth of 0.5 ug/ft2 • Several other states have established cleanup levels: • Kansas – • Compound-specific concentrations • Derived from occupational exposure limits (OSHA, NIOSH, ATSDR)

41. Disposal of Residual Meth Lab Waste at the Landfill • Demolition debris • Furniture • Carpeting • Drapes and shades • Clothing • Lab equipment-after bulk chemical removal • Disposal of bulk liquids and chemicals are prohibited at a solid waste landfill

43. Who Should I Contact? • Local law enforcement or drug task force • Process crime scene • Local HAZMAT team • Proper handling and removal of chemicals and equipment • Local oversight agency (i.e., health department) • Oversee cleanup of structures • CDPHE - Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division • Oversee cleanup of soil and water

44. Law Enforcement Resources • Local law enforcement • Local meth lab response • Local drug task forces • Multi-jurisdictional meth lab response • Colorado Highway Patrol • Response on Colorado highways • DEA • Response in areas not covered by local law enforcement or a local task force • Rocky Mountain HIDTA • Established by the Office of National Drug Control Policy • Facilitates cooperation and coordination between local, state, and federal drug enforcement agencies