By ELANA SCHOR
Posted on Fri, Mar. 04, 2005
THE SUN HERALD WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON - In the rush to stop a plague of amateur methamphetamine labs from further damaging American communities, little attention had been paid to the environmental and medical dangers of improper lab cleanup.
But on Thursday, a group of drug policymakers and scientists urged the House Science Committee to approve a bill providing $4.5 million for a research program and national conference on standards for meth lab cleanup. Too often, they said, hazardous chemicals used to make the highly addictive drug remain in the vicinity of a closed meth lab for months, affecting law enforcement on the scene and even residents living nearby.
"We know very little about how to clean up and remediate former meth labs," said Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y., science committee chairman and a sponsor of the bill. "States are struggling with this problem with little information."
After Mississippi police seize a meth lab, an outside contractor disposes of the ingredients, which can include anhydrous ammonia, lithium, ether and sulfuric acid. Property once used for meth production can undergo a simple carpet change or a full-scale condemnation. Few guidelines exist for how to get the job done safely and correctly.
Under the meth cleanup bill, the Environmental Protection Agency would produce a definitive study on meth detection methods and the effects of exposure to closed labs during cleanup. The EPA would then collaborate with state drug agencies to educate local officials on the complex task of dismantling meth labs.
South Mississippi drug enforcement officials said the bill would give some help to a huge and often ignored problem.
In a hotel or apartment, "usually once they 'cook' (make meth,) even if it's just one time, the floors, carpets, everything is contaminated," said Chad Heck, the Jackson County narcotics agent who busted an especially hazardous "red phosphorus" meth lab in Pascagoula last month. "It's giving off dangerous fumes and going through the ventilation system so if the ventilation's attached to several rooms, it's going through them."
Ralph Holiman, agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's Gulfport office, said he had no knowledge of how the outside contractors were hired to clean up former meth labs or whether the cleaning companies were regulated. DEA supervisors in New Orleans, who have more input into meth cleanup contracting, could not be reached for comment.