How harmful are clandestine drug labs?
Each drug lab is a potential hazardous waste site, requiring evaluation and possibly cleanup by hazardous waste professionals. While many of the ingredients used to make illicit drugs are common household products (such as cold tablets or other ephedrine-related products), both the production process and the mixtures produced can be extremely dangerous. Numerous law enforcement officers and staff from health, social service and other agencies have become ill at clan lab sites. Jail and hospital staff have become ill from exposure to meth lab chemicals on the clothing of people who have manufactured the drugs. People who have moved into former lab sites have suffered chest and respiratory symptoms months after lab chemicals were removed. The impact of illegal drug labs also is felt by communities when labs catch fire, explode and release toxic chemicals and waste into the surrounding environment. Dumping of drug lab waste on public and private properties also has increased and many coun
