Pubdate: Fri, 04 Mar 2005
Source: Sun Herald (MS)
Copyright: 2005, The Sun Herald
Contact:  http://www.sunherald.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/432
Author: Elana Schor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

METH LAB CLEANUPS MAY GET U.S. AID

WASHINGTON - In the rush to stop a plague of amateur methamphetamine labs 
from further damaging American communities, little attention had been paid 
to the environmental and medical dangers of improper lab cleanup.

But on Thursday, a group of drug policymakers and scientists urged the 
House Science Committee to approve a bill providing $4.5 million for a 
research program and national conference on standards for meth lab cleanup. 
Too often, they said, hazardous chemicals used to make the highly addictive 
drug remain in the vicinity of a closed meth lab for months, affecting law 
enforcement on the scene and even residents living nearby.

"We know very little about how to clean up and remediate former meth labs," 
said Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y., science committee chairman and a 
sponsor of the bill. "States are struggling with this problem with little 
information."

After Mississippi police seize a meth lab, an outside contractor disposes 
of the ingredients, which can include anhydrous ammonia, lithium, ether and 
sulfuric acid. Property once used for meth production can undergo a simple 
carpet change or a full-scale condemnation. Few guidelines exist for how to 
get the job done safely and correctly.

Under the meth cleanup bill, the Environmental Protection Agency would 
produce a definitive study on meth detection methods and the effects of 
exposure to closed labs during cleanup. The EPA would then collaborate with 
state drug agencies to educate local officials on the complex task of 
dismantling meth labs.

South Mississippi drug enforcement officials said the bill would give some 
help to a huge and often ignored problem.

In a hotel or apartment, "usually once they 'cook' (make meth,) even if 
it's just one time, the floors, carpets, everything is contaminated," said 
Chad Heck, the Jackson County narcotics agent who busted an especially 
hazardous "red phosphorus" meth lab in Pascagoula last month. "It's giving 
off dangerous fumes and going through the ventilation system so if the 
ventilation's attached to several rooms, it's going through them."

Ralph Holiman, agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's 
Gulfport office, said he had no knowledge of how the outside contractors 
were hired to clean up former meth labs or whether the cleaning companies 
were regulated. DEA supervisors in New Orleans, who have more input into 
meth cleanup contracting, could not be reached for comment.
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MAP posted-by: Beth