Nature of Clandestine Laboratories
and Health Risks
John Howell – Senior Scientist
Environmental Health Directorate
Presentation Content
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Illicit Drug Production
Contamination Process
Health Effects
Environmental Effects
Q&A
Production Process
 Can occur in many places around premises &
elsewhere:
 Kitchen, laundry, bathroom, common rooms,
bedrooms
 Garages, sheds, backyard
 Bush blocks, vacant land, motel/hotels, vehicles
 Useful to have water, electricity, sinks/drainage,
ventilation, sealed working areas
Contamination Process
 Contamination arises from aerosol production,
spillage & waste disposal
 Spillage/waste is often obvious
 Aerosol deposition especially meth is often
inconspicuous & pervasive
 Even only a few small Nazi/birch reactions may
lead to surface contamination of well beyond
immediate area
 Meth contamination can continue for years
Range of Chemical Hazards
 Toxic gases produced that can cause death or
injury (phosphine is the most deadly)
 Flammable chemicals used in process
 Corrosive chemicals such as hydrochloric and
sulfuric acid used for extraction
 Chemicals may condense on surfaces
 Unknown hazards from meth by-products
The Nazi or Birch Reduction Method
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Most common method in WA
Quick, inexpensive, simple & portable
Get everything from a hardware store
Utilises caustic soda, sulphate of ammonia, LPG,
solvents, lithium metal
 Generates anhydrous ammonia, hydrogen chloride
gas, toxic reaction waste
 30 minute process
Human Exposure
 Mainly concerned about house occupants, or
frequent visitors
 Toddlers particularly vulnerable due to hand-mouth
activity, ongoing presence & physiology
 Also other children, pregnant women, & infirm
 Exposure thru dust gas inhalation & inadvertent
ingestion
 Usually long term exposure the problem tho
occasionally acute eg operator burns, deaths
Short Term Effects
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Increased alertness
Increased blood pressure, pulse and breathing rate
paranoia
intense high
hallucinations
violent behavior
loss of appetite
acne type sores
Convulsions
Enlarged pupils
Increased feeling of self confidence, well being
Sense of power / superiority Increased energy
Inability to sleep
Hyperactivity
Anxiety
Irritability
Panic attacks
Long Term Effects
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Fatal kidney & lung disorders
brain damage
depressions
hallucinations
violent & aggressive behavior
severe schizophrenia
Other Human Hazards
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Electricity
Fire/Explosions
Trip hazards
Needles
Structural
Animals
Operators
Environmental Hazards
 Can be in backyard, vacant land, bush areas
 May be surface but leaching into soil, septics &
groundwater possible
 May affect environment or people directly tho
usually a lesser concern than residential
Questions and Comments