Laserfiche WebLink
<br />MAY-02-2003 12: 23 <br /> <br />LEAGUE OF MN CITIES <br /> <br />P. 0~'25 <br /> <br />initation bums to skin, eyes, nose and mouth. ,,11 Death is also a possible result 12 <br />Long-tezm exposure to labs, chemicals and byproducts can result in uliver and <br />kidney damage, neuroloaical problems and an increased risk of cancer." 13 <br /> <br />B. Chemical Contamination Daaler <br />As discussed above, math cooking produces solid. and liquid wastes that can <br />contaminate a building and its contents, or the groundwater or soil where they are <br />dumped.14 Depending on the location of the drug processing or '.cooldng" area, <br />the waste disposal area and the ingredient storage ar~ the fonowing locations <br />may become cbemicaJly contaminated: 15 <br /> <br /> <br />Walls <br />Containers <br />8l1ways <br /> <br />Sinks <br />Chinmey <br />flues <br />Sewer <br />Common <br />areas of <br />multiple <br />dwelling <br />units <br /> <br />s <br /> <br />Groundwater <br />Adjacent <br />apartments or <br />rooms <br /> <br /> <br />Ceilings <br />FurmtLJre <br />Hip traffic areas of <br />dwelling unit <br />Toilets <br />Soil <br /> <br />StOlm sew Septic systems <br />Heating and air-conditioning vents in single <br />or multiple unit dweninss <br /> <br />c. D..ger to Spedflc People Exposed to Meth Labs <br />Meth labs en_aer the health and lives of many people. Besides beinglD <br />obvious danger to the operators of the lab, the danger extends to all persons who <br />come in contact with the lab or the contaminated materials from the lab. <br />Examples of people at risk include: <br /> <br />1. Law Enforcement OfBciaIs Who Seize Lab <br />It is Dot uncommon for law enforcement ofticers seizing a lab to be <br />effected by the contamination inside. '~In l\1hmesota, numerous law <br />enforcement officers and staff from health, social service and other <br />agencies have collapsed or become U1 at [c1aDdestine drug] lab sites...23 <br />.Because of the danler to law enforcement and others entering meth labs <br />soon after seizure, the Minnesota Pollution Control Alent:'! has J <br />established guidelines for first responclcn entering a suspected lab.24 <br /> <br />z. Jail aDd Hospital Staff <br />The health .dangers from meth labs lIe not limited to the lab itself. <br />Because meth residue can contaminate anything inside the Jabt the cook's <br />clothing can become contaminated. As a result. "[j]ail and hospital staff <br /> <br />.3. <br />