Methamphetamine Research Synopsis 
(303) 398-1939 
www.nationaljewish.org

The initial study concerns included the potential, exposures, related health concerns, medical monitoring, and the comprehensive use of personal protective equipment. Throughout the study additional questions arose regarding the airborne properties of methamphetamine, the decontamination process and the degree of danger to children.

The standards used for measuring exposure were those utilized for an occupational setting. These guidelines and standards are formulated based on a predominantly male workforce, 20-30 years of age and healthy. These standards are not applicable to children, those with health conditions or pregnant women. To date, there are no suitable standards established regarding exposures to children during the production of methamphetamine. Therefore, a significant amount of future research is still needed in order to accurately determine the degree of dangers to children.

There are approximately three contemporary “street� methods to manufacture methamphetamine in the United States. Countless numbers of “recipes� exist in drug cultures for manufacturing. In this study the primary method observed with the “Pseudo-Ephedrine Reduction Method�, using red phosphorous or hypophosphorous. Future studies will include the use of anhydrous ammonia in the “Birch� or “Nazi� Method. The primary emitting chemicals of focus throughout the study were: phosphine, iodine, hydrogen chloride, other acids and methamphetamine itself. Intially, solvents (organic chemicals) were examined as well, but later disregarded due to the insignificant amounts found. These materials dissipate quickly. This study also served to examine the specific hazards during the different stages of manufacturing.

Officials from NIOSH, National Jewish Research Center and Law Enforcement performed the controlled laboratory portion of the study in a municipal police department crime lab. Three formulas were used; a “street� Red Phosphorous method, a DEA laboratory method and a method utilizing hypophosphorous acid. The standards applied for exposure detection were those of Threshold Limit Values (TLV) and Short Term Exposure Limits (STEL). Again, these are occupational standards. Although no occupational standard exists for methamphetamine; a reference standard has been established for surface levels, which is more applicable than using a pharmaceutical dosage amount.

During the scientific laboratory portion, designed to examine “worst case� scenarios, occupational standards for hydrogen chloride, iodine, phosphine were all exceeded at one point or another. Levels for hydrogen chloride acid were at and above the limits. Phosphine measured up to three times the short-term exposure limit and ten times over the recommended eight hour per day limit. Iodine and methamphetamine were up to thirty times over the limits. Most monitors measure an average measurement over a given time period, therefore, exact peaks are not recognized and could be reaching extremely dangerous levels.

The research team responded to sixteen suspected methamphetamine laboratory investigations with a local task force. Although none of the locations had an in-process working lab, air samples and surface wipe samples were taken. Most of the labs were considered small in nature and the presence of chemicals limited. There were no significant levels of hydrochloric acid, phosphine, iodine or solvents found. A number of notable iodine stains on carpets, walls and furniture were observed. Most significantly, there were excessive levels of methamphetamine found throughout the labs on a wide variety of surfaces. Methamphetamine was detected in ten out of fourteen labs tested. The presence of methamphetamine was found on vertical as well as horizontal surfaces in levels up to 10,000 times over the recommended amount. Methamphetamine, ephedrine, and pseudoephedrine contamination was detected on appliances, counters, vents, and furniture in extreme amounts. Due to the presence of contamination various surfaces, it was determined that sustainable, widespread high-level methamphetamine contamination occurs during the manufacturing process, which led to more focus in this area during the remaining research.

The next phase consisted of two controlled methamphetamine labs conducted by certified chemists. The first was done in an abandoned house and the second in a motel. Both locations were scheduled for demolition. The purpose was to determine the likely exposures during the cooking process itself, particularly to first responders and those dwelling in the structure. The set up was designed to be reflective of a “typical� clandestine illegal cooking process. Samples were taken throughout the area of both cooks, including near the cook, a distance away and within the breathing zone of the location.

In the first cook, conducted at the house, a lesser amount of methamphetamine was produced than what is normally discovered in most street level operations, possibly resulting in less exposure than the typical clandestine lab. A Red-P “street� method and two hypophosphorous methods were used for a total of three separate cooks. Phosphine, iodine and hydrogen chloride levels all exceeded safe exposure levels in the area of the cook in the Red-P process, causing significant contamination.

During the “salting out� phase, hydrogen chloride levels for all three cooks were dangerously high. The levels were high enough to be of significant risk to anyone present during this phase with a peak reaching 228 mg/m3, when the ceiling TLV is 7.5 mg/m3 for hydrochloric acid.

Vertical and horizontal wipe samples were taken for methamphetamine contamination. Even at distances away from the cook, both horizontal and vertical surfaces showed the presence of methamphetamine, suggesting that it rapidly travels as an aerosol throughout the vicinity. Again, this cook produced only a small amount of methamphetamine, yet still revealed significant contamination and potential exposure. Wipes were also taken from participants of the study, revealing significant methamphetamine contamination to those present at a clandestine lab site on their clothing and skin.

The second controlled lab study took place in a hotel room with an attached bathroom. The cook was administered by chemists from the D. E. A. and a “street� Red-P method was utilized. Both time averaged and real-time (peak) level measurements were taken for phosphine, iodine and hydrochloric acid. Three types of wipe sampling were conducted for airborne methamphetamine. Personal pumps were placed on the chemists conducting the cook and wipe samples were taken from the outer suits of some of the personnel assisting with the study.

During the cooking phase of the process, time-averaged levels for phosphine, iodine and hydrochloric acid stayed below the recommended threshold limit values. During the “salting out� period, phosphine and iodine stayed below threshold limit values, but hydrochloric acid exceeded levels in the bathroom area of the hotel room up to twice the short term exposure limit. Peak level measurements taken in real time indicated that phosphine was at and above the TLV for the “salting out� period and hydrochloric acid was over the limit of Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH), creating a significant health risk. Seventeen different locations were examined for methamphetamine in the room of the lab, hallway and in an adjacent room. Methamphetamine levels were found at ten to a thousand times over the recommended standard, which indicated that methamphetamine itself becomes airborne and produces widespread contamination in the cook area and beyond. Methamphetamine was detected in the adjacent room and down the hallway on carpet samples at high levels. Personal wipe samples of personnel supported that contamination of skin and clothing will occur to those present at a methamphetamine lab and sufficient decontamination must be conducted for first responders and residents.

In addition to the various lab studies, a questionnaire survey was also administered to first responders. In this study, sixty-six percent of respondents stated that they had detected odors associated with methamphetamine labs they had entered, suggesting the likelihood of some type of exposure. However, only twenty-six percent reported that they wear respirators during investigations. Thirty-eight percent of those surveyed reported being sent through the decontamination process and over fifty percent (52%) of the respondents reported having at least one symptom associated with methamphetamine labs. The primary symptoms reported were eye irritation, sore throat, cough, dizziness and headaches.

Research efforts are scheduled to continue through 2004 with additional controlled methamphetamine labs including anhydrous ammonia, hypophosphorous and red phosphorous methods. Further examination of the decontamination procedure and an increased evaluation of the harmful effects upon children shall continue as well. For further information contact Dr. John Martyny at (303) 398-1939 or go to www.nationaljewish.org.