What is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine, commonly referred to as meth, is a highly addictive, stimulant drug that
dramatically affects the central nervous system. Meth users experience increased activity and
talkativeness, decreased appetite, and an overall sense of euphoria.
How is Meth Made?
Meth is made using a variety of store-bought chemicals. The most common ingredient used to
manufacture meth is pseudoephedrine, which is found in common over-the-counter cold medications.
Other chemicals used to produce this drug include acetone, paint thinner, ammonia, drain cleaner, and
battery acid.
Cooking meth is relatively simple, but the process is highly dangerous and toxic. Meth is often
manufactured in small labs set up in homes, hotels, vacant buildings, automobiles, and abandoned
properties. Simply put, meth can be produced anywhere. Around 2009, the ‘shake and bake’ cooking
method was introduced. With this process, meth is produced by combining raw, unstable chemical
ingredients in a plastic two-liter soda bottle, and shaking the mixture until it chemically converts into
meth. If an error is made during this process, including removing the bottle cap too soon, the mixture
could explode.
Meth Lab Risks
Meth labs present the greatest risk to occupants, neighbors, and law enforcement personnel. Fire and
explosion during the cooking process are the greatest immediate risk due to the chemicals involved.
Exposure to the toxic chemicals used to produce the drug also pose a variety of health risks including
shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, liver and kidney damage, neurological problems, and an
increased risk of cancer. These exposures also apply to those individuals who occupy former meth labs
that have not been adequately decontaminated.
How to Identify a Meth Lab
Behavioral Indicators
Equipment Indicators
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Increase in activity
with residents and
visitors, especially at
night
Renters paying in cash
Residences with
blacked out windows
Chemical bottles
Glassware
Hoses
Pressurized cylinders
Excessive trash
associated with the
supplies and chemicals
used for cooking meth
Odor Indicators
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Strong or unusual chemical
odors
o Sulfur
o Acetone
o Paint removers
o Cleaning fluids
o Adhesives
What to do if You Suspect a Meth Lab
If you or anyone in your housing agency suspects a meth lab, do not enter the property or area. Contact
your local law enforcement agency immediately. Local police departments will have personnel who are
trained and have experience with this type of situation and can handle it in an appropriate and safe
manner.
Preventing Meth Labs
How can you reduce or eliminate the possibility of your property becoming a meth lab?
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Regularly inspect all properties, including vacant buildings
Provide employee training on how to recognize a potential meth lab, and the proper
measures to take
Provide resident education on the dangers of meth abuse, and the hazards of meth lab exposure
to other occupants
Cleanup Guidelines
Once a meth lab has been discovered, and the appropriate personnel have removed the equipment, the
chemical contamination on indoor and outdoor surfaces must be adequately cleaned and tested
according to state guidelines. Each state has individual requirements for cleaning and testing, and it’s
best to visit your state’s Department of Health website for additional information. The cleanup of meth
labs is typically performed by a qualified and licensed contractor. In general, cleanup procedures will
focus on the following:
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Airing out the unit to reduce contamination that has soaked into the walls or furnishings
Cleaning all vents, ductwork, outlet surfaces; replacing air filters; and flushing out the
plumbing system
Removing and discarding contaminated carpets, furniture, and other fixtures
Washing all surfaces within the unit using a strong detergent
Priming, sealing, and painting all walls
When cleanup is complete, the unit must be tested for any remaining chemical contamination in
accordance with state regulations prior to the next tenant moving in.
Sources and References
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What is meth made from?
Methamphetamine and Meth Labs - What is a Meth Lab?
How to Recognize a Meth Lab
Meth lab pictures for renters, realtors, home owners, home buyers
Rental Property Turned Meth Lab: Identify and Prevent
Behind Closed Doors: The Health Risks Posed by Meth Labs
Signs of a Meth Lab
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