Meth Labs

What Is a Meth Lab?

Meth labs are dangerous, hastily assembled places where people manufacture illegal methamphetamine-based drugs. The term “lab” is used loosely, as common meth lab settings include basements, sheds, shacks, and cabins.

Very little care is put into the safety of these labs, making them contamination time bombs waiting to go off if not handled carefully. The products used for meth production are often corrosive, produce hazardous waste, and can be life-threatening in some instances.

In fact, according to the Department of Justice, the average methamphetamine laboratory produces 5 to 7 pounds of toxic waste for every pound of methamphetamine produced.

How Common Are Meth Labs?

Meth labs are, unfortunately, still very common in the United States.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), more than 7,500 laboratories were seized in 44 states in 2002.

Methamphetamine production is more common in the western US, but labs are still found further east.

Meth labs can pop up anywhere from a suburban garage to an abandoned shed in a rural area. Because the materials necessary to produce meth include relatively inexpensive over-the-counter ingredients, small clandestine labs can thrive.

How Is Meth Made?

Meth is made through the use of many toxic chemicals that pose serious risks to public health. While some more benign ingredients are sold over the counter, like common cold medications pseudoephedrine or ephedrine, other ingredients aren’t so friendly.

Depending on the method, many meth cooks use corrosive substances that produce incredibly dangerous byproducts.

Common potentially hazardous chemicals used in meth production include:

• Acetone
• Antifreeze
• Drain cleaner
• Paint thinner
• Lithium metal
• Sodium metal
• Anhydrous ammonia (fertilizers)
• Lye
• Methanol
• Hydrochloric acid
• Trichloroethane (gun cleaner)

Common materials used in meth production include:

• Duct tape
• Coffee filters
• Aluminum foil
• Gas cans
• Rubber tubing
• Tempered glassware
• Propane cylinders
• Funnels
• Laboratory beakers and glassware
• Rubber gloves
• Strainers

Effects of Meth Use

Methamphetamine has very damaging health effects on the central nervous system and the overall physical health of meth users. Unsurprisingly, an illegal drug so dangerous to human health would also be hazardous to produce.

Common negative effects of meth use include:

• Extreme weight loss
• High blood pressure
• Cognitive difficulties
• Intense itching, leading to skin sores from scratching
• Memory loss
• Violent behavior
• Psychosis
• Nerve damage
• Liver damage
• Seizures
• Increased risk of HIV and hepatitis
• Increased risk of Parkinson’s disease

How Realistic Is Breaking Bad?

Breaking Bad is relatively accurate in its portrayal of how meth is produced.

The main character and high school chemistry teacher Walter White “cooks” the drug in an RV in the desert due to the dangerous chemicals used.

His early use of cold medicine demonstrates his understanding of meth production. In the show, White later switches to other methods of making meth due to the government’s crackdown on cold medicine containing pseudoephedrine.

Of course, the show is a drama, first and foremost. While there are some genuine accuracies, meth labs are far more dangerous and ugly affairs, requiring careful decontamination for public and environmental safety.

The Dangers of Meth Labs

The danger of meth labs is due to how unstable and corrosive the chemicals used in production can be. During production, there is a constant risk of explosion, contamination, serious injury, and death.

“Meth cooks, their family members, and first responders are often the ones who are injured (or worse) in illegal drug labs. Waste dumped from meth labs can expose people to toxic chemicals.” —The Washington State Department of Health

Additionally, when labs are discovered or “busted,” they can pose severe risks to local law enforcement, first responders, property owners, and bystanders if not cleaned and appropriately decontaminated.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), lab cleanup often requires teams specializing in meth lab remediation to ensure the safe removal of hazardous waste.

Risks associated with each common chemical used in meth production include:

• Acetone/ethyl alcohol: Extremely flammable. Inhalation or ingestion of these solvents causes severe gastric irritation, narcosis, or coma.
• Freon: Inhalation can cause sudden cardiac arrest or severe lung damage.
• Anhydrous ammonia: Inhalation causes edema of the respiratory tract and asphyxia. Contact with vapors damages eyes and mucous membranes.
• Red phosphorus: May explode as a result of contact or friction. Vapor from ignited phosphorus severely irritates the nose, throat, lungs, and eyes.
• Hypophosphorous acid: Extremely dangerous substitute for red phosphorus. If overheated, deadly phosphine gas is released. Poses a serious fire and explosion hazard.
• Lithium metal: Extremely caustic to all body tissues. Reacts violently with water and poses a fire or explosion hazard.
• Hydriodic acid: A corrosive acid with vapors irritating the respiratory system, eyes, and skin. If ingested, causes severe internal irritation and damage that may cause death.
• Iodine crystals: Give off a vapor that is irritating to the respiratory system and eyes. Solid form irritates the eyes and may burn the skin. If ingested, causes severe internal damage.
• Lye: High concentrations can cause severe burns to the eyes, skin, digestive system, or lungs, resulting in permanent damage or death.

How to Tell if You’ve Encountered a Meth Lab

Clandestine drug lab incidents are common, and the chemicals used can be very unstable. Trying to get involved could put your own life and the lives of others in danger.

If you suspect you’ve located a meth lab, notify your local law enforcement agency immediately. You mustn’t attempt to intervene yourself.

Common signs that a meth lab may exist include:

• Unusual odors (ether, ammonia, acetone, rotten eggs, or other chemicals)
• Excessive amounts of trash, particularly chemical containers
• Coffee filters or pieces of cloth that are stained red and duct tape rolls
• Curtains are always drawn, or windows covered with aluminum foil or blackened on residences, garages, sheds, or other structures
• Open windows vented with fans during the winter
• Evidence of chemical waste or dumping
• Random dead spots on plants around the property
• Frequent visitors at unusual times
• Extensive security measures or attempts to ensure privacy (no trespassing or beware of dog signs on fences, large trees, or shrubs)
• Secretive or unfriendly occupants

Where Are Meth Labs Found?

You can find meth labs virtually anywhere. While they are commonly located in basements, shacks, cabins, or run-down structures, they can be set up anywhere.

That’s why knowing the warning signs associated with drug labs is important. If you suspect a drug lab exists, report it immediately.

What To Do If You Locate a Suspected Meth Lab

Common ways to report a suspected meth lab include:

• Your local law enforcement non-emergency line or tip line
• The United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s tip submission
• WeTip2.0
• FBI Tips

The sooner you report a suspected meth lab, the more likely you are to save lives both in the lab and by preventing more illegal drugs from being made and sold