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Clandestine Meth Labs
Ken Niswonger, Senior Chemist
Compliance Assistance and Technical Support UnitHazardous Materials and Waste Management Division
Colorado Department of Public Health And Environment
Meth Production in Colorado
• Growing problem• Clandestine meth lab seizures in Colorado:
– 150 in 1999– 264 in 2000– 452 in 2001
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
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
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)
Prevalent Clandestine Production of Methamphetamine
Red Phosphorus , Red, White, and Blue Method “ HI “ Method
Ammonia Method“Nazi”Shake and Bake Method
Prevalent Clandestine Production of Methamphetamine
What is the Concern ?
Active Meth Labs:
• Danger of fire and explosion • Chemical spills• Inhalation of solvents, corrosives,
toxic gases• “Booby traps”• Waste disposal
What is the Concern ?
Former Meth Labs:
• Vapors
• Chemical residues
• Methamphetamine residues
• Waste Disposal
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
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
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 NaClHost of Solvents Host of SolventsHydrogen peroxide
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
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
Potential Areas of Contamination
• Primary Areas:
– Processing or “cooking” areas
– Disposal areas
– Storage areas
Potential Areas of Contamination
• Secondary Areas:
– Locations where contamination has migrated
– Common areas in multiple dwelling structures
– Common ventilation or plumbing systems
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
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
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)
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
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
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