Transcript ON-SCENE SAFETY INFORMATION FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

CONNECTICUT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBIC HEALTH’S
ROLE IN
METH LAB AWARENESS
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Environmental and Occupational Health Assessment Program
Sharee M. Rusnak
WARNING SIGNS OF A
METH LAB
• Unusual, strong odors (like cat urine,
ammonia, and acetone).
• Residences with windows blacked out.
• Renters who pay their landlords in cash.
• Excessive traffic in and out of the residence.
• Excessive trash such as:
-Stained Coffee filters -Antifreeze Containers
-Lantern Fuel Cans
-Drain Cleaner
-Duct Tape
WARNING SIGNS OF A
METH LAB (Cont)
• Unusual amounts of clean glass containers
• Secretive/protective area surrounding the
residence (video cameras, alarm system,
guard dogs, reinforced doors, electric
fencing).
• Persons exiting the residence to smoke
• Little or no mail, furniture, or newspaper
delivery.
HOW CAN PEOPLE BE
EXPOSED TO METH LAB
CONTAMINANTS?
•Breathing air containing suspended contaminant particles
or harmful vapors
•Touching contaminated substances:
-Bulk chemicals
-Surfaces (floors, walls, carpet)
-Furniture, bedding, etc.
•Eating or drinking from contaminated glasses or dishes
•Eating or smoking with contaminated hands
•Drinking contaminated well water
•Touching contaminated soil.
HEALTH EFFECTS FROM
EXPOSURE TO METH LAB
CONTAMINANTS
• Common symptoms
include:
- Breathing problems
- Respiratory
irritation
- Skin and eye
irritation
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Dizziness
• High Exposures
Include:
-Severe lung damage
-Skin or throat
damage
-Damage to other vital
organs
-Death
Health Effects
• Depends on:
-The specific chemicals used
-The concentration of chemical used
-Length of exposure
-Health condition
-Route of Exposure (breathing, skin
contact,etc)
WHAT ARE THE ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSEQUENCES OF METH LABS?
• Each pound of meth leaves 5-6 pounds of toxic waste.
• Residue can contaminate all property surfaces including:
-Furniture
-Walls
-Appliances
-Clothing
-Carpeting
-Floors
• Leftover chemicals and by products dumped down sink
and storm drains and onto the ground, contaminating
drinking water wells, septic systems, and soil.
• Toxic meth by-products persist in environment
• Expensive cleanup costs
CHECK LIST FOR FIRST
RESPONDERS
 Assure all persons in the immediate area removed to a safe
area-This may involve evacuation of the neighborhood.
 Call for fire/hazmat to respond
 Call US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) immediately at
860-240-3233 (Hartford), 203-497-5200 (New Haven), and
203-579-5591 (Bridgeport)
 Call the CT Department of Children and Families (CTDCF)
hotline at 1-800-842-2288
 Inform local health department, the Connecticut Department
of Public Health (CTDPH) at 860-509-7742, and the
Connecticut Dept of Environmental Protection (CTDEP) at
424-3338 or 1-866-DEP-SPILL
CHECK LIST FOR FIRST
RESPONDERS (Cont.)
 Establish outer perimeter area, keep out
unnecessary persons.
 Lab ventilation only by certified personnel
 If you feel any of these symptoms, see medical
advice immediately:
-Dizziness
-Difficulty breathing
-Confusion
-Burning of the skin,
lungs or other mucous
membrane
DO NOT:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Operate electrical devices
Stop a chemical reaction
Shut off the water supply
Smell, touch, move or open containers.
Smoke
Use flashbulbs. Use special photography
strobe equipment that has no possibility of
generating a spark.
GUIDELINES FOR STAFF FROM
OTHER AGENCIES
 Do not enter contaminated area prior to
ventilation, equipment, and chemical shutdown
 Limiting time on-site
 Wear protective clothing
 Take measures to contain and eliminate exposure
 Avoid transporting contamination
 Seek medical care if needed
SPECIAL CONCERNS-CHILDREN
• Children are often malnourished, improperly
clothed, and neglected.
• Many of them test positive for meth
• Children are particularly susceptible because:
-Smaller
-Vulnerable during critical growth
stages
-The unborn fetus is most sensitive
SPECIAL CONCERNS-CHILDREN
(Cont)
• Health effects (Meth)
- Liver damage
- Learning disabilities
- Developmental abnormalities
- Death
• Officers should call the CT DCF hotline at:
1-800-842-2288
• May need to be decontaminated
• Should have a complete physical
Clandestine Drug Labs Found in
Connecticut and New England
• 4 in 2005
-New Fairfield (Meth)
-East Hampton (2 Meth)
-North Haven (PMA)
• 2 In 2006
-Middletown (Meth)
-West Haven (MDA)
-Norwalk (Meth)
• 18 Meth Labs in New England in 2005
CT DPH ACTIVITIES
INVOLVING METH LABS
•
•
•
•
Development of cleanup guidelines
Educate local health depts. about meth labs
Membership in CT Meth Task Force
Presentations/trainings and fact sheets for
first responders and child welfare workers
CURRENT ISSUES
• No formal response protocol
• State/local agencies not communicating
with each other
• DEA not always notifying us
• Non-disclosure during property transfer
CTDPH’s CLEANUP GUIDELINES
• DEP/DEA will do the bulk cleanup
• Residual cleanup is the responsibility of the property
owner
• The residual contamination should be carefully
inspected and cleaned up according to: CTDPH’s
Guidelines for the Cleanup of Former Connecticut
Methamphetamine Labs.
• Sampling not generally emphasized
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Environmental and Occupational Health Assessment Program
(860) 509-7742
Connecticut Methamphetamine Task Force
Bob Brex (860) 779-9253