Exposures associated with clandestine methamphetamine drug laboratories in Australia

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>The 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.</jats:p>

Adverse Health Effects Associated with Living in a Former Methamphetamine Drug Laboratory — Victoria, Australia, 2015

“…The health effects reported in this study also have been reported in children removed from active methamphetamine drug laboratories (9). Follow-up with the family has identified that the respiratory effects, trouble sleeping, and behavioral changes mostly resolved during the 12 months after the family vacated the contaminated home.…”

Dental and oral health status of an Iranian population of drug abusers: A comparative study

“…In addition, based on the previous local investigations, the DMFT score among our subjects (22.6) was much higher than that among the general Iranian population [24][25][26]. These results can be attributed to the acidic and corrosive properties of methamphetamine that affect the teeth [10], and the impurities in the drugs from the production processes [27].…”

Current practices underestimate environmental exposures to methamphetamine: inhalation exposures are important

“…The clandestine manufacture of methamphetamine, as well as the smoking of crystal methamphetamine (commonly referred to as "ice"), results in the contamination of properties [1,2]. Of particular concern is the presence of methamphetamine residues within the property, which can remain for a long period of time if the property is not remediated.…”

“…Of particular concern is the presence of methamphetamine residues within the property, which can remain for a long period of time if the property is not remediated. People working or living in these contaminated properties are exposed to these methamphetamine residues, and significant adverse health effects have been reported [1,3]. A number of countries and jurisdictions have developed health-risk-based guidelines for the assessment and remediation of methamphetamine residues in properties [4][5][6][7][8].…”