The production and use of methamphetamine is a serious threat to the health and safety of our communities.  Meth is an addictive stimulant drug that strongly activates certain systems in the brain and has a high potential for abuse.

The chemicals or ingredients needed to manufacture methamphetamine are often illegally diverted from legitimate sources. Some of these precursor chemicals include pseudoephedrine (contained in over-the-counter cold medicines), anhydrous ammonia (used primarily as an agricultural fertilizer and industrial refrigerant), and red phosphorus (used in matches).

Methamphetamine comes in more than one form – it can be smoked, snorted, injected, or orally ingested, though smoking has become more common recently.  Smoking leads to very fast intake into the brain, which multiplies the user’s potential for addiction and health implications.

Home-cooking meth spreads toxins to every inch of the room where the meth was cooked and beyond. Nothing escapes contamination: the carpet, walls, furniture, drapes, air ducts, even the air itself becomes toxic. Inhabitable structures used for the production of methamphetamine are placed on a registry, posted as contaminated and are required to be cleaned by an EPA Certified Contractor in order to remove the posting. The local health department, Environmental Section, plays a role in this process.

Clandestine Methamphetamine Lab Cleanup