Children exposed to methamphetamine use and manufacture

Messina, Nena; Jeter, Kira; Marinelli‐Casey, Patricia; West, Kathleen; Rawson, Richard A.

doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2006.06.009

Cited by 20 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Effects consistent with those derived from the range of chemicals and drugs stored and used in the clandestine laboratory include: death; burns and irritation of skin, eyes, nose and throat; lacrimation; pulmonary oedema; coughing; chest pain; shortness of breath; nausea/ vomiting; dizziness; headache; anxiety; bad taste and lethargy (5,31,34,61,71,74,83,98). Exposures to high concentrations of solvents are associated with liver and kidney effects (5).…”

Section: Acute Hazards and Effectsmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Children are more sensitive and considered to be at higher risk than adults who may also be present within a clandestine drug laboratory as their physiological (early life developmental processes) and behavioural characteristics [crawling, mouthing of hands and objects, floor play (59)] result in a higher level of contact with contaminated surfaces (34,(69)(70)(71)(72)(73). Children have higher metabolic and respiratory rates (69,71) and the developing CNS is more sensitive than adults when exposed to some chemicals.…”

Section: Childrenmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Children have higher metabolic and respiratory rates (69,71) and the developing CNS is more sensitive than adults when exposed to some chemicals. Gastrointestinal absorption differs and the development of the skeletal system results in the accumulation of some metals (34).…”

Section: Childrenmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Children do not have the same sense of danger as adults and will not understand the implications of playing with or near chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamine and will not be experienced with ways of escaping from emergencies such as fires and explosions (71).…”

Section: Childrenmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Chronic health effects of exposure to methamphetamine are very poorly understood (71), particularly in relation to environmental exposures to low concentrations, compared with high doses associated with drug use. However, they may include: neurochemical changes in areas of the brain that are associated with learning, potentially affecting cognitive function, behaviour, motor activity and changes in avoidance responses (106); psychotic, physiological and behavioural/developmental effects that include violent behaviour, depression, irritability, hallucinations, mood swings, paranoia, mood and sleep disorders that are associated with exposure to, or use of, methamphetamine (75,(106)(107)(108)(109)(110); as well as effects associated with exposure to the range of chemicals present, that includes cancer and effects on respiratory, renal, hepatic, neurological, developmental and reproductive systems (5).…”

Section: Chronic Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Exposures associated with clandestine methamphetamine drug laboratories in Australia

Wright

Edwards

Walker

2016

Reviews on Environmental Health

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AbstractThe clandestine manufacture of methamphetamine in residential homes may represent significant hazards and exposures not only to those involved in the manufacture of the drugs but also to others living in the home (including children), neighbours and first responders to the premises. These hazards are associated with the nature and improper storage and use of precursor chemicals, intermediate chemicals and wastes, gases and methamphetamine residues generated during manufacture and the drugs themselves. Many of these compounds are persistent and result in exposures inside a home not only during manufacture but after the laboratory has been seized or removed. Hence new occupants of buildings formerly used to manufacture methamphetamine may be unknowingly exposed to these hazards. Children are most susceptible to these hazards and evidence is available in the literature to indicate that these exposures may result in immediate and long-term adverse health effects. The assessment of exposure within the home can be undertaken by measuring contaminant levels or collecting appropriate biological data from individuals exposed. To gain a better understanding of the available data and key issues associated with these approaches to the characterisation of exposure, a review of the published literature has been undertaken.

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