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

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

Most Common Methods of Clandestine Production of Methamphetamine

Meth Production Epidemic Related to Routes using Pseudoephedrine

Prevalent Clandestine Production of Methamphetamine

Nagai: HI and red P, Acid XI and Red P, or XI and H 2 PO 2 Birch: Li or Na metal + NH 3 (gas) Rosenmund: H 2 (gas) + Pd,Ga etc Emde: SOCl 2 or PCl 5 + LiAlH 4 Prevalent Clandestine Production of Methamphetamine

Nagai: HI and red P, Acid XI and Red P, or XI and H 2 PO 2 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 ? Active Meth Labs:

What is the Concern ? Active Meth Labs:

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

More Warning Signs Residences with windows blacked out Renters who pay landlords in cash Unusual structures Excessive trash

Production Chemicals Red P MethodNazi Ephedrine or pseudoephedrine (cold tablets) HI, HCl, H 2 SO 4,, H 2 PO 2 Anhy Ammonia Acetic and H 3 PO 4 Li/Na metal NaOH and NaCl HCl, H 2 SO 4 Red P and Iodine NaCl Host of Solvents Hydrogen 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 Procedures for Structures Venting –Air-out prior to and during cleanup Gross cleanup –Removal of chemicals and equipment Removal –Visually contaminated items –Absorbent materials that cannot be easily cleaned Detergent-water washing –Non-porous and semi-porous surfaces

Cleanup Procedure for Structures Ventilation system –Replace filters –Remove and clean vents –Clean ductwork Encapsulation or sealing –Paint surfaces with oil-based paint or epoxy Plumbing –Flush with generous amounts of water –Septic tanks or leach fields may require testing

Outdoor Contamination Source Identification –Site inspection –Identification chemicals Sampling and Analysis Remediation –Waste removal (chemicals and equipment) –Site controls –Drainage controls –Removal or treatment of soil and/or water –Monitoring

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/ft 2 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

–Washington – Solvents: 1 ppm total hydrocarbons, 8-hour TLV Lead: 20 ug/ft 2 total Mercury: 50 ng/m 3 in air Meth residues: 0.1 ug/100cm 2 –Minnesota – Solvents: 10 ppm total VOCs Meth residues: 1 ug/ft 2 meth Mercury: 0.3 ug/m 3 Lead: 20 ug/ft 2 –Oregon – Meth residues: 0.5 ug/100cm 2

Cleanup Levels for Soil and Water Soil cleanup levels –Risk-based levels based on property use Groundwater cleanup levels –State groundwater standards –Risk-based standards if no State standard exists Surface water cleanup levels –Risk-based standards based on use

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