Meth Labs : A Guide

Meth Labs: What to do?

The latest report of Australian Crime Commissions shows that in 2009/10 Queensland Police discovered more than 40% of the 694 meth labs located in Australia. John Lawler, chief executive of Australian Crime Commission said, “It is sad, our report shows that more than 71 per cent of these labs are detected in residential areas where innocent neighbours risk exposure to toxic chemicals.”   How do you detect a meth lab?

Outward signs of a meth lab

•     Chemical odours like paint thinners and nail polish remover coming from the building
•     Fans (exhaust) running for a long period and strangely at odd times.
•     Frequent visitors to the lab at odd hours.
•     Curtains always drawn or Windows blackened out.
•     When you see people coming outside only to smoke.
•     Occupants being unfriendly, appear to be secretive about their activities, behaving paranoid.
•     Property being monitored with security and surveillance equipment.
•     Neighbors, Landlords, other visitors denied access.
•     Trash bins containing a huge amount of cold & flu packaging, chemical type containers, bottles and boxes with labels removed.

 On the inside, once you know these things

•     Lab containers, beakers, equipment and documents.
•     Clear liquid solutions with chalky substance settling at its bottom.
•     Containers having two layered liquids, one dark colored liquid and the other a clear or pale yellow layer.
•     Coffee filters containing a white paste or a reddish brown substance
•     Dishes containing white crystalline powder or substance.
•     Hot plates kept near chemicals.
•     Odors of chemicals emitted from rooms.
•     Stain on walls, usually they are yellow or brown in color.

What to do on discovering a Meth Lab?

•     Do not go to explore the area. Exposure to meth can cause severe health complications
•     Do not try to touch, taste or smell anything at a meth lab.
•     Avoid smoking in or near a suspected meth lab.
•     Friction or Sparks producing items should be avoided at all cost eg. radios, cell-phones, torches etc.
•     Immediately call the local Police.
•     Do not re-enter the premises.

Meth Labs exposure can cause the following:

•     Constant headaches.
•     Eyes become watery
•     Nausea.
•     Burning sensation on the skin.
•     Difficulty in breathing, coughing.
•     Pain in chest.
•     Feeling of coldness or weakness.
•     Dizziness.

If at all you encounter a meth lab or you need to cleanup a Meth lab Contact Bio Cleanse Pty Ltd, visit: http://bio-cleanse.com.au/methamphetamine/ for more details.