Remediation Considerations for Methamphetamine Labs

Transcription

1 Remediation Considerations for Methamphetamine Labs by John Martyny, Ph.D., CIH National Jewish Medical and Research Center

2 The United States experienced a rapid rise in the demand for methamphetamine during the 1990 s.

3 What is a Meth Lab?

4 Meth Lab Responses - Inactive Responded to suspected clandestine laboratories. Hotel Rooms Homes Apartments Vehicles Mobile Homes

5 Controlled Meth Cooks

6 Red P Cook at a Motel

7 New Mexico Methamphetamine Cook

8 Primary Chemical Exposures All Cooks Solvents Hydrochloric Acid Methamphetamine Red Phosphorous Phosphine Iodine Anhydrous, Nazi, or Birch Reduction Anhydrous Ammonia

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12 Symptoms Methamphetamine Very little known regarding low level chronic exposures. Irritation of the skin, eyes, mucous membranes, and upper respiratory tract. High levels may cause dizziness, headache, metallic taste, insomnia, high or low blood pressure, etc. Chronic exposures may cause irritability, personality changes, anxiety, hallucinations, psychotic behavior. Smaller infants, altered behavior patterns, lower IQ scores, teratogenic affects, cerebral hemorrhage. Current Standards None Therapeutic dose = 5 mg (2 to 3 x per day) Surface contamination = ug/100 cm 2

13 Methamphetamine Levels on Surfaces Ranged from non-detect to 16,000 ug/100cm 2. Levels inside microwaves were high. Levels on air returns were elevated suggesting airborne quantities. Levels on flat surfaces in the lab area were very high. Levels exceeding the standard were found in every verified lab.

14 Airborne Methamphetamine using Red P Method 4200 ug/m 3 To 5500 ug/m 3

15 Exposures 24 hours After a Cook Airborne Methamphetamine During the Cook ug/m 3 Walking Around ug/m 3 Mild Activity ug/m 3 Heavy Activity ug/m 3 Meth in Carpet Dust 59 ug/m ug/m 2 Other Compounds Iodine and HCl becomes airborne next day

16 Current Testing Methodology = Methamphetamine

17 Why Methamphetamine Advantages Easy to sample Low detection levels Real-time and Laboratory methods Present for all cooks Unique to drug use Current state standards Disadvantages Smoking may result in positive results Health risks poorly documented No current health- based standard

18 Real-Time Sampling Methods Immunologic Ion scanners Colorimetric Methods Laboratory Samples GC/MS Bulk Wipes Methanol or Ethanol How Many?????

19 Other Possibilities GC/MS samples for organics Always present Methodological differences Phosphine Iodine Only during phosphorous cooks Rapidly dissipates Spray starch methodology All unlikely to be over any current standards

20 Complicating Factor

21 Controlled Smoke

22 Study Process Standard motel room Did not inhale Total amount: 2.45 grams

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24 Shower Stages: Pre 1/10g 1/10g 1/4g 2.0g Smoke Area 22 Stages 32 Table ug/100cm2 A/C Heater

25 Health Effects Associated with Methamphetamine Labs

26 Symptoms Among Responders

27 Health Effects Grouped health effect Ever had effect (n=93) Headache 56 (60%) 5 (9%) Sore throat 42 (45%) 4 (10%) Respiratory 41 (44%) 6 (15%) Skin 38 (41%) 7 (18%) CNS 29 (31%) 3 (10%) Eye 28 (30%) 3 (11%) Cardiovascular 14 (15%) 3 (21%) Gastrointestinal 11 (12%) 0 (0%) Symptomatic & sought medical treatment

28 Symptoms from Families Occupying Former Meth Labs Respiratory Increased asthma visits Mucous membrane irritation Pulmonary fibrosis General Headaches IAQ complaints

29 Dose Estimates vrs.. Exposure for Infants Basis for Dose Infant exposed to 0.1 ug/100 cm 2 RfD Prenatal Development RfD Neurotoxicity Endpoints 5 mg oral dose to 70 kg Adult Illicit usage mg for Adult Infant exposed to 499 ug/100 cm 2 Calc. Dose (mg/kg-day) CDPHE Publication

30 Current Guidelines State Alaska Specified Value 0.1 ug/100 cm 2 Unified Value 0.1 ug/100 cm 2 Arizona Arkansas Colorado Minnesota* Oregon Tennessee Washington CDPHE Publication 0.1 ug/100 cm ug/ft ug/ft 2 10 ug/ft ug/ft ug/100 cm ug/100 cm ug/100 cm ug/100 cm ug/100 cm ug/100 cm ug/100 cm ug/100 cm ug/100 cm 2

31 Dose Estimates vrs.. Exposure Basis for Dose Infant exposed to 0.1 ug/100 cm 2 Infant exposed to 0.5 ug/100 cm 2 RfD Prenatal Development RfD Neurotoxicity Endpoints Illicit usage mg for Adult Infant exposed to 499 ug/100 cm 2 Calc. Dose (mg/kg-day) CDPHE Publication

32 Remediation Primary removal conducted by law enforcement Many states have enacted remediation guidelines. General requirements: Removal of porous surfaces Cleaning of smooth surfaces Removal of carpeting Removal of contaminated material Containment of contamination Remediation testing Concerns Septic Systems, household items, surrounding soil PPE??????

33 Remediation Concerns Incorporation into building materials Carpeting Drywall Clothing Smoking Residuals vrs.. Lab Residuals Environmental Contamination Sampling Protocols How many samples Stratification of samples Decontamination Solvents Cross Reactions Efficacy Who will conduct the remediation?

34 Industrial Hygiene Concerns Contamination Was structure contaminated? How was it contaminated? Clean-up Liability Cook vrs.. Smoking Expected problems Was clean-up effective? Is the residence ready to be occupied? Have the guidelines been met? Clean-up sampling only

35 Colorado Drug Endangered Children Website colodec.org