Clandestine Drug Labs Awareness

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Clandestine Drug Labs Awareness
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Clandestine Labs Take it Seriously

• WARNING

Mistakes at the scene of a clan lab can lead to
serious injury, long lasting medical problems, or
death!
US-HERO US Homeland Emergency Response Org.
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Clandestine Drug Labs Can Be Found Anywhere!

• Apartments
• Houses
• Sheds
• Garages
• Abandoned buildings
• Ice chests
• Vehicles

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Where are Most Drugs Labs

• 85 of all clandestine drugs labs are found in
  three states.
• Texas
• California
• Oregon

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Signs of a Clandestine Drug Lab

• Strong odors similar to a diaper pale, urine, or
  unusual chemical smells like, ether, ammonia, or
  acetone
• Coffee filters or paper towels stained with red
  chemicals, with white or red chalk colored paste
  that maybe wet or dry, and duct tape, clear glass
  jugs or jars
• Vehicles loaded with chemical containers such as
  propane tanks, plastic drink bottles, thermos or
  liquid containers
• Laboratory glassware, rubber tubing, charcoal,
  drain cleaner, Iodine, cold medicine pills,
  and/or their containers
• Windows blocked to conceal interior

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Signs (cont)
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Dangers of Meth Labs

• Cooking Process
• Corrosive, flammable, and toxic chemicals.
• Highly unstable and can be extremely sensitive to
  temperature changes.
• By-product
• Hydrogen gas which is flammable and can be
  explosive in a confined area.
• Booby traps

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Other Hazmat Products

• Phosgene/phosphine
• Cyanide
• Chlorine

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Dangers of Meth Labs (cont.)

• Meth labs are frequently discovered due to
  explosions.
• Over half of all injuries incurred at meth labs
  are to first responders.
• Respiratory irritation is the most common injury.
• Eye irritation is second.

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Dangers of Meth Labs (cont.)

• Unattended lab is most dangerous
• Some processes take up to 72 hours
• Operators set up reactions, leave
• Impossible to determine stage process is in or
  how to shut it down

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Reducing Risk to First Responders

• Increase awareness of the risks.
• Train responders to Haz Mat Operations Level.
• Make every effort to identify nature before
  entering contaminated areas.
• Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment.
• Conduct proper decon after exposure.

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Your Personal Safety Checklist

• Clan labs are an immediate danger to your
  personal safety.
• All clan labs are dangerous.
• All clan labs involve dangerous chemicals which
  pose short and long term health risks.

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Simple procedures to minimize risks and reduce
exposure

• DO NOT eat or drink in or about a clan lab.
• DO NOT smoke.
• DO NOT touch your face, eyes, nose, nor other
  body openings near a clan lab.
• DO NOT open chemical containers.
• DO NOT put your face directly over an open
  chemical container.

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Other Dangers

• Booby traps
• Grenades on trip wires
• Fish hooks hung at eye level
• Punji pits
• Explosives connected to electrical switches
• Crossbows and spear guns on trip wires

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Minimize risks and reduce exposure

• DO NOT touch liquids, powders or other
  substances.
• DO NOT taste samples to try and determine their
  identity.
• ALWAYS wear gloves when handling any items
  associated with a clan lab.
• DO NOT turn any switches or controls ON or OFF
  inside a clan lab site.

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Caution is the Key

• Responders must have focus and situational
  awareness to their environment
• Expect to find dangers and health hazards in all
  parts of the job
• Dont assume a building or any situation to be
  safe until proven to be so

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SAR and CERT Teams Actions

• Once you suspect a clan lab, get everyone out
• Do not use radios in or within 200 feet of a
  suspected lab
• Do not use cell phones in or within a lab
• Set up a contonement area around lab at at least
  200 feet
• Inform the IC or 9-11 to dispatch HAZMAT, LE and
  Fire

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Actions (cont.)

• If people/residents are present, act clueless
• Do not try and interfere
• Alert authorities once you and your people are
  safely away
• Remember, you are not police, so dont play like
  it

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Actions (cont.)

• If you have possibly been exposed to anything in
  a lab, report it to your IC or EMO.
• Some toxins take up to 48 hours to manifest
  symptoms
• Clan labs are not things to be taken lightly