What types of by-products and contaminants result from meth labs?
Production of methamphetamine in pharmaceutical laboratories under controlled conditions results in the production of certain byproducts and contaminants, which are removed from the final product. But in a clandestine meth lab, such controlled conditions do not exist. In addition to the normal wastes and byproducts, other unwanted byproducts may be produced under less than ideal conditions (e.g., overheating, under heating, and improper mixing). By-products resulting from the Red Phosphorous and Birch methods, the most common methods found in Colorado, include: Iodine compounds Chloropseudoephedrine Phosphine gas (produced from overheating) Yellow or white phosphorous Various used acids (hydriodic and phosphoric acid gas) Residual unused chemicals Meth residues Human health risks become a much greater concern when contaminants, sludges, and byproducts are discharged into the environment (air, sewers, drains, septic tanks, streams, and soil). Identifying byproducts and intermediate stag
