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Hazards
of Meth Ingredients
Chemicals and equipment used to “cook” meth
in illegal makeshift labs create an immediate danger of explosion and
fire. The process also leaves behind waste that contaminates the site
– often a house, apartment or other dwelling – and poses a threat both
to the environment and the health of future occupants.
Typical
Chemicals Found in Lab Sites |
Common
Legitimate Uses |
Poison |
Flammable |
Toxic
Vapors |
Explosive |
Corrosive |
Skin
Absorption |
Common
Health Hazards |
Acetone |
Fingernail polish remover,
solvents |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
X |
Reproductive disorders |
Methonol |
Brake Cleaner fluid, fuel |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
X |
Blindness, eye damage |
Ammonia |
Disinfectants |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
X |
Blistering, lung damage |
Benzene |
Dye, varnishes, lacquers |
X |
X |
|
X |
X |
X |
Carcinogen, Leukemia |
Ether |
Starters fluid, anesthetic |
X |
X |
|
X |
|
|
Respiratory Failure |
Freon |
Refrigerant, propellants |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
|
Frostbite, Lung damage |
Hydriodic Acid |
Driveway cleaner |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
X |
Burns, Thyroid Damage |
Hydrochloric Acid(HCL Gas) |
Iron ore processing, mining |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
X |
Respiratory, Liver Damage |
Iodine Crystals |
Antiseptic, Catalyst |
X |
X |
|
X |
X |
|
Birth Defects, Kidney
Failure |
Lithium Metal |
Lithium batteries |
X |
|
|
|
X |
X |
Burns, Pulmonary Edema |
Muriatic Acid |
Swimming pool cleaners |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
|
Burns, Toxic Vapors |
Phosophine Gas |
Pesticides |
X |
|
X |
|
|
X |
Respiratory Failure |
Pseudosphedrine |
Cold medicines |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
Abuse: Heart Damage |
Red Phosphorus |
Matches, fireworks |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
Unstable, Flammable |
Sodium Hydroxide |
Drain cleaners, lye |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
X |
Burns, Skin Ulcers |
Sulfuric Acid |
Battery Acid |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
X |
Burns, Thyroid Damage |
Toluene |
Paint, thinners, solvents |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
X |
Fetal Damage, Pneumonia |
Liquid Lab Waste |
None |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
X |
Unknown long term effects |
Source: http://dec.co.riverside.ca.us/fyi/hazards.htm
Equipment found in meth labs
Meth Lab Equipment consisted of commercially purchased
items such as separatory funnels, Bunsen burners, reaction vessels,
plastic storage containers, and large glass beakers. These are the
type items that you would associate with a science class or a
chemistry lab. These labs are often referred to as “Super Labs” and
are capable of producing multiple pounds of Methamphetamine during one
cooking process. These labs were commonly located on the West Coast.
Today, smaller labs, called “Tweaker Labs”, “Box Labs” or
"Rolling Mobile Labs" are popping up all over. These labs produce only
a few grams of Methamphetamine at a time and are often operated by
persons strung out on Methamphetamine. The different equipment found
at a “Tweaker Lab” can be purchased from any retail store and consists
of items like Mason Jars, Pyrex Glassware, plastic Igloo coolers, and
plastic gas cans. These items can be used as they were purchased or
can be slightly modified to process the ephedrine using the chemicals
and heat sources like stove top and microwave ovens.
Illustration from http://www.cityofsalem.net/~police/... .
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