Pubdate: Fri, 09 Feb 2007
Source: Niles Daily Star (MI)
Copyright: 2007 Niles Daily Star
Contact:  http://www.nilesstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1555
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

UPTON HAILS PASSAGE OF METH LAB CLEANUP BILL

WASHINGTON - Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, applauded 
Wednesday's House passage of the Methamphetamine Research Remediation 
Act, H.R. 365. The measure focuses on the clean up of former meth 
labs - sites that have lethal contaminants. These meth labs, most 
often found in residential settings, are contaminated not only with 
meth, but also other toxic residues associated with the drug's 
production - polluting the inside of the structure as well as the 
water and septic systems.

In Michigan, meth lab incident seizures declined by 16 percent after 
the state's methamphetamine law went into effect on July 20, 2005. 
According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Michigan 
reported 224 seizures from July 20, 2005 to April 30, 2006, compared 
to 267 over the same time period one year earlier. Upton is a 
cosponsor of the Methamphetamine Research Remediation Act, which 
overwhelmingly passed the House by a vote of 426 to 2.

"The unfortunate reality is that each and every one of our 
communities is vulnerable to the dangers of meth - it is a highly 
addictive drug that does not discriminate," said Upton. "This 
important legislation provides our local communities the resources 
they need to clean up highly toxic sites that were once meth labs, 
sites that can have deadly consequences if they are not cleaned up 
properly. We are quite fortunate in Southwest Michigan that our 
communities are united in their fight against this epidemic. Our 
Regional Meth Taskforces consisting of dedicated law enforcement 
officials, pharmacists, firefighters, right down to the individual 
neighborhood watchman, are making headway in the fight against meth. 
This legislation, along with our regional task forces, will help 
mitigate the lasting impact meth has upon our communities." An 
extremely addictive drug, meth continues to damage the lives of 
individuals and families in nearly every area of the country. Its 
production and use has taken a considerable human and environmental 
toll on local communities. The process of making methamphetamine - in 
both large and small laboratories - involves at least one, and 
sometimes multiple stages with a significant risk of explosion and/or 
fire. Untrained individuals "cook" meth using toxic chemicals in 
makeshift laboratories, leaving behind dangerous residues that can 
coat the walls, furniture and floors of a meth lab.

Some of the chemicals used to produce methamphetamine have 
independent toxicity; when combined, they can have serious toxic and 
explosive effects. Some of the common ingredients in methamphetamine 
are: starting fluid (ether), paint thinner, Freon, acetone, anhydrous 
ammonia, iodine crystals, red phosphorous, brake cleaner (toluene), 
drain cleaner (sodium hydroxide), battery acid (sulfuric acid), 
reactive metals (sodium or lithium), and cold tablets containing 
pseudoephedrine. Every pound of methamphetamine produced can yield up 
to five pounds in toxic waste.

The Methamphetamine Research Remediation Act:

- -- Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to develop model, 
voluntary, health-based clean-up guidelines for use by states and localities;

- -- Authorizes the National Institute of Standards and Technology to 
initiate a research program to develop meth detection equipment for field use;

- -- Requires a study by the National Academy of Sciences on the 
long-term health impact of exposure to meth labs on children and 
first-responders.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman