Potential Health Effects

Health effects caused by exposure to clandestine methamphetamine laboratory chemicals depend on the manufacturing process and chemicals being used; the amount of chemical and length of exposure; and the age and health of the person exposed. Chemicals may enter the body by being inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin.

An acute exposure is one that occurs over a relatively short period of time. Acute exposure to meth lab chemicals can cause shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, dizziness, lack of coordination, chemical irritation, or burns to the skin, eyes, nose and mouth. Death could result when exposure is to a particularly toxic chemical or the person exposed is particularly vulnerable.

Phosphine is by far the most deadly hazard at clan labs. Overseas, two separate instances have been documented where clan lab “cookers” were found dead at the scene and attributed to phosphine over-exposure. Phosphine gas is a by-product of the reaction, and is given off by red phosphorus itself in small quantities.

Highly corrosive iodine and hydriodic vapours are also given off in the process.

Less severe exposures can result in symptoms such as headache, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue or lethargy. These symptoms have been known to occur in people exposed to active labs, but also in people – particularly police and first responders – who have entered a clan lab before the site has been ventilated or cleaned. These less severe symptoms usually go away after several hours of exposure to fresh air.

Exposures to clan lab chemicals or byproducts over a long period of time called chronic exposures may cause both long-term and short-term health effects. Long-term exposures to volatile organic compounds may result in liver and kidney damage, neurological problems, and increased risk of cancer. Even at low levels, exposures for long periods by people living in a former lab site could result in serious health effects.

Risks to Children

Children are particularly vulnerable to the health effects associated with clan labs. Children are generally more at risk than adults to environmental hazards because they have immature organ systems, faster metabolic rates, and weaker immune systems; they eat more food, drink more fluids and breath more air per kilogram of body weight; they are less able to protect themselves; and their behaviour (crawling, dirt eating, hand-to-mouth) expose them to more hazards.

Clandestine drug laboratories pose the greatest danger to children living in them however, children in adjacent flats/units, and those who live in former clan lab properties that have not been adequately cleaned are also at risk. Additionally, growing evidence shows risk to fetuses from exposure to ingested drugs and toxic chemicals in the home environment.

Studies in the USA show that childhood exposure to toxic meth lab chemicals can result in damage to kidneys, liver or spleen, and violent behavior. Absorption of methamphetamine through the skin may cause rapid heart rate, hypertension, seizures, or solvent intoxication.