http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/164129116.html Link to video http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/video?id=8753035&pid=8752666
More common that most would imagine. Wait until you get a freeway shut down because someone's mobile meth lab crashed and the chemicals are everywhere...
I wonder who is paying to decontaminate the room. I think there are OSHA rules which say how the room has to be cleaned. I think the fact that a meth lab was found there that the hotel needs to disclose that information to guests given that room. If vapors are absorbed (by walls etc...) it can be hazardous to one's health. Meth cooks usually have a shortened lifespan.
What are the dangerous byproducts of methamphetamine synthesis? I'm curious as to what the terrible chemicals are. And reminding myself of the horseradish lab in Pennsylvania that caused a huge stink, as it were, a few years ago.
as i understand, its mixing a whole whack of household chemicals together......which creates toxic fumes and potentially a volatile situation
According to the article: "Professional cleaners are required to come in to make the room safe. That will be overseen by the Department of Licenses and Inspections and the hotel." and "Had authorities not found the lab and the men had conducted their business without detection, the chemical residues would have presented a danger to any subsequent guests, especially children."
Police Officers are supposed to fill out Exposure reports when they enter or discover Meth Labs. The meth lab cooks have had growths appear on their bodies. Wonder how many meth cooks are done in rooms which are never detected. The fumes are absorbed into the walls.
I went through the Colorado document and don't see anything that warranted that degree of longterm fear and loathing, Love Canal-like. And given a particular situation, the stench, it seems, would be a giveaway. As far as explosion risk, I can't say except to point out that once the procedure is no longer taking place, that danger should diminish rapidly.
From NCJRS: What are the most serious environmental consequences of abandoned labs? The immediate fire, explosion and direct-contact hazards presented by unstable and reactive compounds such as red phosphorus and hydrochloric acid are of first importance; these inorganics do not present a long-term threat since they break down in the environment. Chlorinated solvents are a long-term problem since they can persist in soil and groundwater for years. These are primarily localized concerns, and the quantities of waste are relatively small, but it is very important to locate and excavate burial pits early, since the longer they remain unaddressed, the more the contamination can spread. Cleanup costs are increased because solvent-contaminated soil usually needs to be incinerated. What about contamination of residences or hotel rooms? This is a gray area right now; officially, our position is that it is the property owner's responsibility to insure the habitability of a structure that has been used as a lab. The problem is that, once the chemicals and glassware are removed, there are no requirements or standard procedures to identify chemical residuals that may remain. Local law enforcement might not inform the health agencies of the potential problem. The first step is better and earlier communication among all the agencies. In experienced California localities, cross-notification and response is the norm.
