What are the health risks for those involved in meth lab production?
Some chemicals used in meth production present a danger of injury or death from fire or explosion. In addition, there are possible risks of exposure to infectious disease (e.g., AIDS, hepatitis B) in the event of skin puncture by drug paraphernalia. The cook has the potential of toxicity from all routes of exposure; i.e., ingestion and injection of the drug, spills of chemicals onto the skin, and inhalation of vapors. Inhalation and skin exposure are the most likely routes of exposure for other persons exposed to the drug lab environment. Children living in the drug lab environment typically are in contact with the floor, thus have a higher potential for exposure because of the possibility of ingesting chemicals in addition to inhalation or skin exposure. Inhalation or skin exposure may result in injury from corrosive substances, with symptoms including shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, and burns to the skin. Many solvents are absorbed into the body through the lungs and, if the
