Pubdate: Mon, 03 Jan 2005 Source: Globe-Gazette (IA) Copyright: 2005 Globe-Gazette Contact: http://www.globegazette.com/sitepages/modules/editorltr.shtml Website: http://www.globegazette.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1568 Author: Brian Spannagel TAKING DOWN A METH LAB IS HIGH-RISK WORK MASON CITY -- When law enforcement officers respond to the site of a methamphetamine lab, they handle a myriad of hazardous chemicals. Some chemicals used in the production of meth are known to cause burns, hepatitis, dizziness, chest pain, asthma and rashes. To guard against these hazards, officers suit up in fire-retardant clothing under vinyl, spill-resistant body suits. They breathe through portable oxygen units. "If they use the proper equipment it reduces their chance of exposure greatly," said Jerry Nelson, special agent in the Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement Clandestine Laboratory Emergency Response Team. To work investigating and dismantling meth lab sites, officers must take a 40-hour training class. About 325 Iowa officers are certified. In North Iowa, a minimum of six certified officers respond to each meth lab site, according to Nelson. Firefighters also respond in case of an emergency. Such illicit labs can be set up quickly in hotels, houses, cars, fields, parks or even in vehicles. It takes as little as two hours for a lab to produce meth. Law enforcement work begins when an entry team swarms a lab, arresting people on site, Nelson said. A second group of officers assesses the situation to see what chemicals were blended. They remove the lids from each container and segregate the concoctions that pose an immediate danger. A hazardous waste disposal company disposes of the chemicals, except for the samples collected for evidence. The entire process usually takes four to six hours. What's In Methamphetamine? Methamphetamine labs can use common household chemicals to produce the illegal drug. Heat is not even needed in the simplest processes. Ingredients used to produce methamphetamine include: ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, a main ingredient in cold medications acetone toluene (brake cleaner) ether (found in automotive engine starting products. sulfuric acid -- found in drain cleaning products salt lithium -- from batteries anhydrous ammonia -- agricultural fertilizer sodium hydroxide -- lye muriatic acid red phosphorus -- found in matches and road flares Equipment used in meth manufacturing includes: jugs and bottles coffee filters thermometer blender strainer hot plate paper towels oven-safe glass dishes rubber gloves cheesecloth tape/clamps cooler Source: www.streetdrugs.org - --- MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman