Clandestine Meth Labs

Ken Niswonger, Senior Chemist

Compliance Assistance and Technical Support UnitHazardous Materials and Waste Management Division

Colorado Department of Public Health And Environment

Meth Production in Colorado

• Growing problem• Clandestine meth lab seizures in Colorado:

– 150 in 1999– 264 in 2000– 452 in 2001

What is Methamphetamine?

What is Methamphetamine?• Powerful, addictive stimulant drug

• Illegally “cooked” in makeshift labs

• Pills, capsules, powder or chunks

• Smoked, snorted, injected, or eaten

• a.k.a. crank, speed, crystal or ice

• Euphoria, paranoia, anxiety, aggression

Most Common Methods of Clandestine Production of Methamphetamine

Meth Production Epidemic Related to Routes using

Pseudoephedrine

Prevalent Clandestine Production of Methamphetamine

Nagai: HI and red P, Acid XI and Red P, or XI and H2PO2

Birch: Li or Na metal + NH 3 (gas)

Rosenmund: H2 (gas) + Pd ,Ga etc

Emde: SOCl2 or PCl5 + LiAlH4

Prevalent Clandestine Production of Methamphetamine

Nagai: HI and red P, Acid XI and Red P, or XI and H2PO2

Birch: Li or Na metal + NH 3 (gas)

Prevalent Clandestine Production of Methamphetamine

Red Phosphorus , Red, White, and Blue Method “ HI “ Method

Ammonia Method“Nazi”Shake and Bake Method

Prevalent Clandestine Production of Methamphetamine

What is the Concern ?

Active Meth Labs:

• Danger of fire and explosion • Chemical spills• Inhalation of solvents, corrosives,

toxic gases• “Booby traps”• Waste disposal

What is the Concern ?

Active Meth Labs:

What is the Concern ?

Active Meth Labs:

What is the Concern ?

Former Meth Labs:

• Vapors

• Chemical residues

• Methamphetamine residues

• Waste Disposal

Equipment Used in Meth Production

• Pyrex or Corning dishes• Plastic or rubber tubing• Rubber gloves• Glass containers (all types)• Funnels• Propane tanks• Coffee filters• Hot plates

How is Meth Produced?• Basic Process:

– Solvent extraction of ephedrine

– Filter out and evaporate or cook off solvent

– “Cook” – Red Phosphorous or Nazi method

– Solvent extraction of meth base

– Separate solvent layer with meth

– “Salt out” meth using hydrogen chloride gas

Production Chemicals

Red P Method Nazi

Ephedrine or pseudoephedrine (cold tablets)

HI, HCl, H2SO4,, H2PO2 Anhy Ammonia

Acetic and H3PO4 Li/Na metal

NaOH and NaCl HCl, H2SO4

Red P and Iodine NaClHost of Solvents Host of SolventsHydrogen peroxide

By-products and Contaminants

• Iodine/iodinated compounds

• Phosphine gas (from overheating)

• Yellow or white phosphorous (from overheating)

• Hydriodic acid gas

• Hydrogen chloride gas

• Phosphoric acid gas

• Meth residues

Warning Signs of Suspected Meth Labs

• Strong or unusual odors: solvents, ammonia, ether-like, vinegar-like, pungent, acrid or sour

• Discoloration of structures, pavement or soil

• Increased activity, especially at night

• Unusual security systems or other devices

Potential Areas of Contamination

• Primary Areas:

– Processing or “cooking” areas

– Disposal areas

– Storage areas

Potential Areas of Contamination

• Secondary Areas:

– Locations where contamination has migrated

– Common areas in multiple dwelling structures

– Common ventilation or plumbing systems

Authority to Require Cleanup• Currently no state statute that specifically

authorizes state or local authorities to require cleanup

• Some local agencies have independent authority to require cleanup

• House Bill 1115 would have created statewide authority for local governments to require cleanup

• House Bill 1115 would have authorized the State Board of Health to establish cleanup levels

•

Cleanup of Meth Labs• Developing guidance on cleanup

procedures and levels

– Structures:• General cleanup

• Indoor air

– Outdoor storage and/or disposal areas:• Soil

• Groundwater

• Surface water

Cleanup Levels for Structures• CDPHE has health-based indoor air levels for

only a few of the meth lab contaminants• CDPHE proposed cleanup level for meth of

0.5 ug/ft2

• Several other states have established cleanup levels:– Kansas –

• Compound-specific concentrations• Derived from occupational exposure limits (OSHA,

NIOSH, ATSDR)

Disposal of Residual Meth Lab Waste at the Landfill

• Demolition debris• Furniture• Carpeting• Drapes and shades• Clothing• Lab equipment-after bulk chemical removal• Disposal of bulk liquids and chemicals are

prohibited at a solid waste landfill

Who Should I Contact?

• Local law enforcement or drug task force– Process crime scene

• Local HAZMAT team– Proper handling and removal of chemicals and

equipment

• Local oversight agency (i.e., health department)– Oversee cleanup of structures

• CDPHE - Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division– Oversee cleanup of soil and water

Law Enforcement Resources• Local law enforcement

– Local meth lab response• Local drug task forces

– Multi-jurisdictional meth lab response

• Colorado Highway Patrol– Response on Colorado highways

• DEA– Response in areas not covered by local law enforcement or a

local task force

• Rocky Mountain HIDTA– Established by the Office of National Drug Control Policy– Facilitates cooperation and coordination between local, state,

and federal drug enforcement agencies