Pubdate: Sun, 20 Jan 2002
Source: Birmingham News (AL)
Copyright: 2002 The Birmingham News
Contact:  http://www.al.com/bhamnews/bham.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/45
Author: Adam Goldman

DRUG LABS CAN LEAVE TOXIC DISASTERS

Methamphetamine labs are environmental nightmares.

Some of the substances used to make meth sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide, 
acetone, gasoline and lye are corrosive and flammable. They seep into the 
ground, water and air, leaving behind toxic disasters that cost thousands 
to clean up.

Repeated exposure to the fumes can cause health problems, ranging from skin 
irritation to lung damage to cancer.

Marshall County Drug Enforcement Unit Rob Savage said the labs "create an 
environment that is pretty inhospitable to human beings."

Last year, Savage dismantled a meth lab. Not paying attention, Savage 
touched some clear liquid on a kitchen counter. The liquid ate through the 
two pairs of latex gloves he was wearing, took off several layers of skin 
and caused severe blistering.

"We don't seize these properties because they are so hazardous," Savage 
said. "We don't want to assume the liability."

Terry Bobo is aware of the dangers and risks. He is president of 
Environmental Management Inc., based in Oklahoma. His company has a 
contract with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to clean up meth 
labs in 14 states, including Alabama.

EMI has been disposing of meth labs since 1985, and earned $1.2 million 
last year, a DEA spokeswoman said.

EMI follows strict guidelines when destroying the labs, such as burning 
some of the chemicals or materials or treating others before they are buried.

It is also costly.

The DEA, with an annual $20 million budget to deal with the labs, picks up 
the tab because small sheriff's and police departments lack the resources. 
The DEA said it spends $1,200 to $2,000 to train officers in Quantico, Va., 
in how to deal with the labs. Federal law requires that officers entering 
labs have hazardous material training.

Getting rid of the mess, which cost an average of $3,300 per lab last year, 
is only part of the problem. Each lab on average can create five to seven 
pounds of toxic waste for every pound of methamphetamine produced, 
according to the National Drug Intelligence Center.

Bobo said people get rid of the acids and bases by pouring them in the 
toilet or down the kitchen sink. Sewers are not equipped to handle toxic 
chemicals. And the material can leach out of septic tanks into the ground.

Police also have found meth materials on the side of roads, in fields and 
in meth sludge dumped in back yards. Once in the soil and water, solvents 
and other toxic byproducts can linger for years. Contaminated soil 
typically has to be incinerated.

When officers raided a Birmingham home last fall, they found contaminated 
glassware and debris piled in the basement. In front of the house, several 
garbage cans were filled with toxic trash.

Police also say they can't force property owners to detoxify buildings that 
once contained meth labs. People will merely put a fresh coat of paint on 
walls that might have absorbed deadly vapors.

The chemicals are highly flammable, especially red phosphorous. The 
phosphorous is obtained from striker plates taken from matchboxes. When 
overheated, it produces extremely combustible and poisonous phosphine gas.

The labs are "sitting time bombs," Bobo said.

Michael David McGuff, 35, found out just how explosive the labs can be 
after he made his last meth batch in March.

He was cooking in a Walker County trailer kitchen when he knocked over a 
lantern the place didn't have electricity. The accident caused an explosion 
that engulfed McGuff and the trailer.

McGuff was burned on 40 percent of his body, including his hands, neck, 
face and inside his lungs. He died March 12 after spending six days at the 
UAB Burn Center.
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MAP posted-by: Beth