Pubdate: Mon, 22 Aug 2005
Source: Spooner Advocate (WI)
Copyright: 2005 Spooner Advocate
Contact:  http://www.spooneronline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3894
Author: Frank Zufall
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

METH LABS ARE TOXIC WASTE SITES

Anyone who has ever have ever seen a photo of a methamphetamine or "meth" 
lab being cleaned up has probably seen people wearing what appears to be 
big protective white moonsuits from head to toe.

There is a reason for the special clothing -- meth labs are considered 
toxic waste sites.

Experts say 1 pound of finished meth results in 5 pounds of toxic waste. 
Considering a meth lab can be placed literally anywhere -- a barn, trailer, 
car, attic, or the room rented beside a city street -- one has to ask what 
is happening to the waste.

Washburn County law enforcement officials say they have come upon meth 
chemicals spilled out on rural roads, and in January of this year, a meth 
lab was busted in the city of Spooner that required special investigative 
team from Milwaukee and and a cleanup firm from North Dakota to remove the 
mess.

To give just an idea of the chemicals used in meth production, the 
following chemicals are listed in the Washburn County Drug and Endangered 
Children (DEC) protocol for investigating meth labs:

*Acetone (pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, varnishes, rubber cement) *Anhydrous 
Ammonia (household cleaners, fertilizer) *White gas (fuel for lamps and 
heaters) *Ephedrine/Pseudofed (pharmaceuticals, cold medicine) *Ethanol 
(alcoholic beverages, perfumes, pharmaceuticals) *Ethyl Ether (solvents or 
extractant for fats, waxes, starting fluid, perfumes, diesel, anesthetic in 
surgery) *Hydriodic Acid (driveway cleaner, chemical regent) *Hydrogen 
Chlorine Gas (iron ore processing) *Hydrogen Peroxide (topical 
antiseptics/cleanser, mouthwash, sanitary lotions) *Iodine Crystals (iodine 
solutions, antiseptics, germicides) *Isopropyl Alcohol (solvents, 
disinfectant, nail polish remover) *Lithium (lithium batteries) *Methanol 
(antifreeze, brake cleaner, industrial solvent) *Methyl-Ethyl Ketone (used 
in production of coating solvents, aluminum foil, lacquers, degreasing 
agents) *Muriatic Acid (swimming pool agent) *Red Phosphorous 
(pyrotechnics, used in manufacture of fertilizers and pesticides) *Sodium 
Hydroxide (toilet bowl cleaner, drain cleaner) *Sulfuric Acid (battery 
acid, used in manufacture of explosives, paper, glue) *Toluene (solvent for 
paints and lacquers, and a gasoline additive)
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MAP posted-by: Beth