Clandestine Drug Lab Program Thomas Hunting, Cleanup Program Manager Controlled Substance Contaminated Property

Facts about meth It’s often made in makeshift laboratories, such as rented apartments or hotel rooms. These properties can become contaminated with hazardous chemicals. Meth is usually sold through networks, not on the streets. You DO NOT want your property being used as a “Production House” for this drug. Pay close attention to some “Things to look for…”

What is methamphetamine? A potent and toxic synthetic stimulant of the central nervous system Similar to cocaine, but the “rush” lasts longer Can be injected, snorted, taken orally or smoked May give person high energy and rapid speech Chronic use results in severe depression, delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, and violent behavior Meth For this reason, you should never enter an active meth lab. Contact your local law enforcement immediately. Crank Ice Crystal Speed

Is this on your property?

Exposure Risks:

Consider this: For every pound of cooked meth produced, it is estimated that five to seven pounds of hazardous chemical waste are also produced. Much of the waste is dumped…………

Down the drain

Wastewater issues Nine times out of 10, the drug manufacturers are dumping waste down the toilets or sinks. Regardless of which method the drug maker used, you are dealing with hydrocarbons being dumped into the septic system and maybe some metals. Bacteria that live in the system eat hydrocarbons, but if the concentration of other chemicals being dumped in the system is too high, it can kill off the bacteria.

If you suspect the disposal of meth chemicals is affecting your treatment plant discuss your concerns with your local law enforcement officials. Ask if they think the possibility of a meth lab exists and where they suspect it might be located.

If the indicated location is on the municipal sewerage system, collect samples from nearby manholes and check for elevated levels of the suspected pollutants.

or Set up a sampler at a nearby lift station, or collect a series of manual grab samples and combine them into a composite sample. If you find the suspected pollutant (ammonia, for example) at higher levels than in background samples, you have narrowed down your source location.

Problem indicators Ammonia spikes Adverse intake readings Unstable nitrification readings Excessive volatile organic compounds Iodine compounds White phosphorus Phosphine gas FYI: Generally, the dumping of waste-by-products occur in the hours of darkness. If this is done in the public sewer systems, they will appear as higher concentrations due to lower usage discharge rates.

What should you do about it? If just minor chemicals have been spilled that are impacting your plant such as ammonia and amines, make sure to check alkalinity in your plant. Sometimes just increasing that will help your plant handle the extra loading. pH adjustment may be needed if you have caustics or acids dumped down. Sometimes bioaugmentation can be used to help if you plant is impacted. Bioaugmentation can help break down some of the toxic chemicals, help with upset recovery, help with nitirification reseeding or to just handle the additional loading.

It gets even better….. Meth detected in sewage could be from either its manufacture or from the urine of meth users since meth passes through the human body chemically intact. So intact that some meth labs have been found filled with jugs of urine from meth users intending to recycle the drug.

Property owners Can prevent illegal drug activity Learn the signs of an illegal drug lab Unusual odors Excessive garbage Blackened or covered windows Many cars at all hours

Property owners Responsible for activity on their property Pay meth lab cleanup costs

Law enforcement Presence of chemicals Glassware & paraphernalia Boobytraps Gross chemical removal Remove all occupants Post and send a copy of the Notice of Removal to the property owner Submit EPIC form to ACIC

About ADEQ’s involvement ADEQ is involved with meth lab investigations because we are required by law to do so.

Arkansas Legislature Chemical contamination at meth lab sites Residue could harm tenants or buyers Decontamination by certified contractors

Act 864 Protect Property Owners from Contamination by the Manufacturing of Controlled Substances and to Create a Program for Remediation and Notification of Contaminated Property (April 2007) APC&EC Regulation No. 32 Environmental Professional Certification (May 1, 2008) ADEQ Clandestine Lab Cleanup Standards (May 1, 2008)

Property Owner Hire an ADEQ certified contractor only

ADEQ’s role Lists property on website Checks contractor report & records Removes property from website and purges all records 10 days after decontamination has been confirmed Issues a “Ready for Reoccupation” certificate to property owner

Questions? Thomas Hunting (501) 683-1552 E-mail: hunting@adeq.state.ar.us www.adeq.state.ar.us