Methamphetamine Laboratories Put Responders At Risk

Hazardous events at meth labs are on the rise, putting law enforcement and emergency response personnel at risk. A report from the Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance (HSEES) indicates that from the period 2000 to June 2004, a total of 1,791 events have occurred in the 16 states that use HSEES. In those events, nearly 960 injuries were reported.1

Customer Type
Police Departments, Drug Task Force Agents, Fire Departments

Application Description
Fewer than 10% of those arrested for manufacturing meth are trained chemists. Meth laboratory operators or “cooks” usually are individuals who have little or no chemical training and simply learned the formula from other meth cooks or the internet.

Many of the chemicals found in these labs are very corrosive or flammable. The vapors that are emitted from the chemical reactions attack mucous membranes, skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Some chemicals will react with water or other chemicals and cause a fire or explosion.

In addition to the risk of explosive gases, chemical contamination from the hazardous waste of these labs poses a serious threat to the environment and to the health of unsuspecting citizens in nearby communities. Each pound of meth manufactured in a clandestine lab generates up to 5 or more pounds of toxic waste. Clandestine lab operators routinely dump such waste into local streams, rivers, and sewage systems in order to cover up the evidence of their illegal operation. Moreover, chemical reactions that occur during the manufacture of meth produces hazardous vapors that can permeate walls, carpet, plaster and even the wooden structure of the building.

RKI's EAGLE appeared on Law and Order, 11/2004

Products used in methamphetamine production

Phosphine gas can be produced during the hydriodic acid/red phosphorus method of methamphetamine production. In the presence of water, phosphorous acid does not decompose to phosphine gas, but above 180º C, superheating occurs and aqueous components are driven off, resulting in phosphine gas production. Symptoms of phosphine inhalation include headache, fatigue, weakness, thirst, chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, and coma. Many meth chemists (addicts- not real chemists) also die from explosions as a result of the production process.

RKI’s Solution
The EAGLE is equipped with a superior catalytic sensor that makes it capable of monitoring ppm or % LEL levels of combustible gases. By simply pushing one glove-friendly button, the display instantly changes from the % LEL range to the ppm range to detect trace amounts of combustible gases. The EAGLE also has the capability of detecting a wide range of super toxic gases including phosphine and ammonia. Having a single portable instrument with up to six different sensors is a great advantage to a police officer, drug enforcement agent, or fire department in determining the toxicity or flammability of a meth lab before any personnel enters the area.

Equipment Needed
We offer many versions of the EAGLE, which can be customized in terms of the sensors included, for law enforcement agencies. Listed below are some of the more common EAGLE configurations used for meth lab applications. Please consult the factory for other combinations.

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