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Crystal methamphetamine has rapidly become the illicit drug of choice. However, the use and manufacturing of this drug presents problems unique to communities that other drug abuse has not presented in the past. When law enforcement was just beginning to appreciate this drug's devastating effects on communities and users, the focus of law enforcement was to develop safe procedures to locate and seize meth labs. As law enforcement became sophisticated in the detection, seizure and arrest of these clandestine labs and their operators, what became astoundingly apparent was that the real victims of the crime were the children. Thirty to thirty-five percent of seized meth labs are in homes where children reside.
National Jewish Research Center Methamphetamine
Research - Full Report
National Jewish Research Center Methamphetamine
Research - Synopsis
Larimer County Agreement and Protocol
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National Jewish Research Center Methamphetamine Research - Full Report The State of Colorado as well as the nation face an unprecedented epidemic of clandestine methamphetamine drug manufacturing. Seizures of methamphetamine drug laboratories continue to rise putting police and fire first responders at risk for a variety of hazards. The number of seizures in Colorado has risen dramatically from 31 laboratories in 1998 to 455 laboratories in 2001. First responders and susceptible third parties, such as children, are at risk for exposures to the chemical hazards and the fire, explosion, and safety hazards inherent with clandestine manufacture of methamphetamine. Unfortunately, very little is known regarding the specific exposure hazards faced by first responders and bystanders associated with illegal methamphetamine manufacture and lab seizure. As a result there is very poor information on which to establish appropriate medical treatment plans and healthcare providers are forced to provide generic, often expensive, and probably to some extent unnecessary medical testing. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by emergency services
and law enforcement.... Read
the entire report (requires Adobe Acrobat PDF
Reader) |
| National
Jewish Research Center Methamphetamine Research - Synopsis
In the year 2002 the National Clandestine Laboratory Database reported 8,911 clandestine laboratory seizures. Over ninety percent of these were methamphetamine production and over 2078 incidents involved children. First responders and children alike are exposed to toxic and hazardous chemical exposure. Many of the hazards of this illicit process and the type of exposure have not been studied extensively, and are therefore unknown. According to the El Paso Intelligence Center, the increase of methamphetamine production has resulted in at least one methamphetamine laboratory in every state of the union in 2002. In January 2003, National Jewish Hospital and Research center began to study the harmful effects of methamphetamine labs to first responders and children through various methodologies, including: controlled lab studies, field controlled lab studies and surveys. The study expanded its scope throughout the year with results that may impact the way in which first responders and investigators perform their duties. Throughout the duration of this study, the spirit of collaboration and cooperation has been a predominant factor. The initial study concerns included the potential, exposures, related health concerns, medical monitoring, and the comprehensive use of personal protective equipment. Throughout the study additional questions arose regarding the airborne properties of methamphetamine, the decontamination process and the degree of danger to children. The standards used for measuring exposure were those utilized for an occupational setting. These guidelines and standards are formulated based on a predominantly male workforce, 20-30 years of age and healthy. These standards are not applicable to children, those with health conditions or pregnant women. To date, there are no suitable standards established regarding exposures to children during the production of methamphetamine. Therefore, a significant amount of future research is still needed in order to accurately determine the degree of dangers to children. There are approximately three contemporary “street” methods to manufacture methamphetamine in the United States. Countless numbers of “recipes” exist in drug cultures for manufacturing. In this study the primary method observed with the “Pseudo-Ephedrine Reduction Method”, using red phosphorous or hypophosphorous. Future studies will include the use of anhydrous ammonia in the “Birch” or “Nazi” Method. The primary emitting chemicals of focus throughout the study were: phosphine, iodine, hydrogen chloride, other acids and methamphetamine itself. Intially, solvents (organic chemicals) were examined as well, but later disregarded due to the insignificant amounts found. These materials dissipate quickly. This study also served to examine the specific hazards during the different stages of manufacturing. Officials from NIOSH, National Jewish Research Center and Law Enforcement performed the controlled laboratory portion of the study in a municipal police department crime lab. Three formulas were used; a “street” Red Phosphorous method, a DEA laboratory method and a method utilizing hypophosphorous acid. The standards applied for exposure detection were those of Threshold Limit Values (TLV) and Short Term Exposure Limits (STEL). Again, these are occupational standards. Although no occupational standard exists for methamphetamine; a reference standard has been established for surface levels, which is more applicable than using a pharmaceutical dosage amount. During the scientific laboratory portion, designed to examine “worst case” scenarios, occupational standards for hydrogen chloride, iodine, phosphine were all exceeded at one point or another. Levels for hydrogen chloride acid were at and above the limits. Phosphine measured up to three times the short-term exposure limit and ten times over the recommended eight hour per day limit. Iodine and methamphetamine were up to thirty times over the limits. Most monitors measure an average measurement over a given time period, therefore, exact peaks are not recognized and could be reaching extremely dangerous levels. The research team responded to sixteen suspected methamphetamine laboratory investigations with a local task force. Although none of the locations had an in-process working lab, air samples and surface wipe samples were taken. Most of the labs were considered small in nature and the presence of chemicals limited. There were no significant levels of hydrochloric acid, phosphine, iodine or solvents found. A number of notable iodine stains on carpets, walls and furniture were observed. Most significantly, there were excessive levels of methamphetamine found throughout the labs on a wide variety of surfaces. Methamphetamine was detected in ten out of fourteen labs tested. The presence of methamphetamine was found on vertical as well as horizontal surfaces in levels up to 10,000 times over the recommended amount. Methamphetamine, ephedrine, and pseudoephedrine contamination was detected on appliances, counters, vents, and furniture in extreme amounts. Due to the presence of contamination various surfaces, it was determined that sustainable, widespread high-level methamphetamine contamination occurs during the manufacturing process, which led to more focus in this area during the remaining research. The next phase consisted of two controlled methamphetamine labs conducted by certified chemists. The first was done in an abandoned house and the second in a motel. Both locations were scheduled for demolition. The purpose was to determine the likely exposures during the cooking process itself, particularly to first responders and those dwelling in the structure. The set up was designed to be reflective of a “typical” clandestine illegal cooking process. Samples were taken throughout the area of both cooks, including near the cook, a distance away and within the breathing zone of the location. In the first cook, conducted at the house, a lesser amount of methamphetamine was produced than what is normally discovered in most street level operations, possibly resulting in less exposure than the typical clandestine lab. A Red-P “street” method and two hypophosphorous methods were used for a total of three separate cooks. Phosphine, iodine and hydrogen chloride levels all exceeded safe exposure levels in the area of the cook in the Red-P process, causing significant contamination. During the “salting out” phase, hydrogen chloride levels for all three cooks were dangerously high. The levels were high enough to be of significant risk to anyone present during this phase with a peak reaching 228 mg/m3, when the ceiling TLV is 7.5 mg/m3 for hydrochloric acid. Vertical and horizontal wipe samples were taken for methamphetamine contamination. Even at distances away from the cook, both horizontal and vertical surfaces showed the presence of methamphetamine, suggesting that it rapidly travels as an aerosol throughout the vicinity. Again, this cook produced only a small amount of methamphetamine, yet still revealed significant contamination and potential exposure. Wipes were also taken from participants of the study, revealing significant methamphetamine contamination to those present at a clandestine lab site on their clothing and skin. The second controlled lab study took place in a hotel room with an attached bathroom. The cook was administered by chemists from the D. E. A. and a “street” Red-P method was utilized. Both time averaged and real-time (peak) level measurements were taken for phosphine, iodine and hydrochloric acid. Three types of wipe sampling were conducted for airborne methamphetamine. Personal pumps were placed on the chemists conducting the cook and wipe samples were taken from the outer suits of some of the personnel assisting with the study. During the cooking phase of the process, time-averaged levels for phosphine, iodine and hydrochloric acid stayed below the recommended threshold limit values. During the “salting out” period, phosphine and iodine stayed below threshold limit values, but hydrochloric acid exceeded levels in the bathroom area of the hotel room up to twice the short term exposure limit. Peak level measurements taken in real time indicated that phosphine was at and above the TLV for the “salting out” period and hydrochloric acid was over the limit of Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH), creating a significant health risk. Seventeen different locations were examined for methamphetamine in the room of the lab, hallway and in an adjacent room. Methamphetamine levels were found at ten to a thousand times over the recommended standard, which indicated that methamphetamine itself becomes airborne and produces widespread contamination in the cook area and beyond. Methamphetamine was detected in the adjacent room and down the hallway on carpet samples at high levels. Personal wipe samples of personnel supported that contamination of skin and clothing will occur to those present at a methamphetamine lab and sufficient decontamination must be conducted for first responders and residents. In addition to the various lab studies, a questionnaire survey was also administered to first responders. In this study, sixty-six percent of respondents stated that they had detected odors associated with methamphetamine labs they had entered, suggesting the likelihood of some type of exposure. However, only twenty-six percent reported that they wear respirators during investigations. Thirty-eight percent of those surveyed reported being sent through the decontamination process and over fifty percent (52%) of the respondents reported having at least one symptom associated with methamphetamine labs. The primary symptoms reported were eye irritation, sore throat, cough, dizziness and headaches. Research efforts are scheduled to continue through 2004 with additional
controlled methamphetamine labs including anhydrous ammonia, hypophosphorous
and red phosphorous methods. Further examination of the decontamination
procedure and an increased evaluation of the harmful effects upon
children shall continue as well. For further information contact
Dr. John Martyny at (303) 398-1939 or go to www.nationaljewish.org.
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Larimer County has developed an agreement between the Department of Human Services and the Drug Task Force and a Protocol for Investigating Child Protection Referrals. This is a terrific example of how agencies are working together to protect Colorado's children from drug endangered environments. Memo of Understanding This memorandum of understanding, made this 1st day of April 2003 by and between the Larimer County Department of Human Services, 2555 Midpoint Drive, Suite E, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525, hereinafter referred to as LCDHS, and Larimer County Drug Task Force, 300 Laporte, Fort Collins, CO 80521, hereinafter referred to as LCDTF and in accordance with MOU requirements developed by the Colorado Department of Human Services and Colorado Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Justice, effective 23rd day of May 2002. Whereas, the parties are authorized under federal statutory authority Title 1 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, 42 U.S.C. &, 3701, et, seq., as amended, under the program name “FY 2002 Byrne Formula Grant Program;” and, Whereas, the intent of the “FY 2002 Byrne Formula Grant Program” is to provide federal financial assistance to state and local law enforcement agencies in Colorado to foster collaborative efforts in support of national drug-control priorities to control violent, drug related crimes and offenders; and, Whereas, Bureau of Justice Assistance Byrne Grant Award #2002-DB-BX-0008 contains special conditions and requirements of DCJ concerning subgrantee law enforcement activities related to the identification, seizure or closure of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories and the treatment of any minors involved therein; and, Whereas, in fulfillment of the special conditions and requirements associated with Bureau of Justice Assistance Grant Award #2002-DB-BX-0008, and described in the award as “Mitigation of Health, Safety and Environment Risks,” LCDHS and LCDTF hereby agree to the following: (1) Purpose of the Agreement – The agreement is a collaborative effort between the two agencies to assist in the identification, investigation and the removal of Drug Endangered Children from hazardous drugs usage and manufacturing locations found within the Larimer County Law Enforcement jurisdictions. Jurisdictions include Fort Collins Police Services, Colorado State University Police, Larimer County Sheriff Department and Loveland Police Department, excluding the cities of Estes Park and Berthoud. Each of the parties agree to make available to each other specialized trained investigators, equipment, resources and information needed for these situations. (2) Duration of the Agreement – This MOU is effective when signed for the period beginning January 31, 2003 and expiring on June 30, 2004. (3) Notification requirement – All Colorado law enforcement agencies awarded a Byrne subgrant by DCJ will be required to report the discovery of any minors at methamphetamine laboratory site, to the Larimer County Department of Human Services as appropriate under the following Colorado state statutes and any others as may be relevant:
Law Enforcement reports to LCDHS concerning minors located in a methamphetamine laboratory site shall be made promptly and in a manner to ensure immediate response by qualified LCDHS personnel. (4) LCDHS will provide the usual and customary services of its child protection services to peace officers handling minors involved in the seizure or closure of methamphetamine laboratories; including but not limited to:
(5) LCDTF and LCDHS will conduct joint investigations in accordance to the mutually agreed upon terms listed in Appendix A, “ Protocol for investigating Child Protection Referrals involving the operation of, “Clandestine Labs.” In Witness whereof, the parties have caused this agreement to be executed by the parties’ duly authorized representatives as set forth below. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ |