Part A - Society for Public Health Education

Environmental Hazards• Potential for fire or explosions• Toxic air emissions• Soil and water contamination• Hazardous waste accumulations• Structures and vehicles with potentially irreversible damage andcontaminationAdverse Health Effects from Meth Lab Chemical ExposureIt is important for first responders to minimize their exposure to the chemicalsfound at a meth lab site. Exposure occurs when the body comes in contact witha chemical agent. Dose is the amount of chemical agent that the body takes inor absorbs. Typically, in toxicology, the dose makes the poison. Therefore, if firstresponders can limit exposure by limiting on-site time and by wearing protectiveequipment, they will be limiting dose. Additionally, first responders need to containor eliminate contamination by washing exposed skin with a liquid soap and watersolution (or chemical solution depending on type of chemical exposure) and removingcontaminated shoes and clothing.Symptoms of exposure include breathing problems, skin and eye irritation, headaches,nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. Short-term exposures to high concentrationsof some of these chemicals can cause severe lung damage and burns to differentparts of the body.© 2007 Society for Public Health EducationFor additional, more detailed information about the clinical presentation, evaluation,and health effects of persons exposed to methamphetamine, refer to Part B ofthis toolkit: “A Guide for Clinicians and Health Care Professionals Responding toMethamphetamine Lab Exposures.”Minimizing Health and Safety Risks• First responders should obtain proper training and utilize the proper personalprotective equipment for responding to meth labs in the community.Training can be obtained from the Drug Enforcement Agency. Please visithttp://www.usdoj.gov/dea/programs/training/part14.html for more information.“Personal protective equipment” refers to the various types of clothing (e.g., suits,gloves, hats, boots) or apparatus (i.e., face masks, respirators, etc.) designed toPart A: An Educational Toolkit for Health Educators41