The Importance of Decontamination

The methamphetamine manufacturing process involves highly toxic and explosive chemicals that release hazardous vapors and residue. The residue settles inside the structure, continuing to contaminate the premises until it is thoroughly decontaminated. Anyone entering a meth lab may be exposed to contaminants through respiratory or skin contact with the chemical vapors and/or chemical residue if safety precautions are not carefully followed, and may carry the contaminants on their skin, clothing and shoes spreading the contamination to their car, office and home.

Medical doctors believe that exposure to the toxic chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine can cause short and long-term health effects that vary depending on the amount and route of exposure and the chemicals involved.  Doctors and scientists involved in the National DEC Alliance agree that children in meth labs should be decontaminated for their safety and, while they agree that there is much research that needs to be done concerning the precise health impacts, there is widespread support for taking precautionary measures that will protect children from the attendant harms of clandestine drug labs. There is active discussion on the nuances of this important topic and work is being done to determine the best protocol for the decontamination of children at meth labs.  

Discussion Points on Decontamination 

 By Dr. John Martyny, National Jewish Research Center 

In order to begin to develop decontamination guidelines that may be utilized by jurisdictions with different capabilities and needs, the Scientific/Medical Subcommittee (SMC) of the National DEC Alliance will be hosting a workshop for interested parties during the National DEC Meeting in Washington, D.C.  As a prelude to that meeting, Dr. John Martyny is providing the attached discussion points regarding what is known regarding contamination at methamphetamine laboratory sites and what is not known.  See Discussion Points.