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Clandestine Laboratories The Department of Public Safety's Clandestine Laboratory Emergency Response Team (CLERT) is comprised of specially trained law enforcement officers from the Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Iowa State Patrol, and the State Fire Marshal's Office, as well as chemists from the Division of Criminal Investigation. The CLERT provides assistance to city and county law enforcement throughout the state of Iowa. All CLERT members are certified in the investigating, dismantling, and removing of clandestine laboratories. Chemicals used in the illicit manufacture of narcotics present both environmental and explosive hazards to citizens and property in the state of Iowa. The clandestine laboratory team provides safe and environmentally sound disposal of these chemicals. Clandestine Laboratory Seizures by the Department of Public Safety
*Year to date. The above table is for labs that the Department of Public Safety have been involved with. The combined total of clandestine laboratories seized by state, local and county departments for 2011 is 412. In addition to the clandestine labatory totals, there were 60 children affected by these labs. The reduction of methamphetamine laboratories can be directly contributed to the pseudoephedrine law that was put in effect in 2005. With this legislation we have been able to turn our attention to the importation of methamphetamine and other controlled substances.
*Year to date. State of Iowa clandestine laboratory maps. | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | Warning Signs of Living Near a Lab
Common Meth Lab Supplies
The most common chemicals used to start the meth-making process are over-the-counter cold and asthma medications. Typical brands include Sudafed, Revive and Mini-thins, which contain ephedrine or pseudoephedrine as decongestants or stimulants. How to Recognize a Meth Lab Meth labs may be set up at campgrounds, rest areas, rental homes, motel rooms, abandoned cars, garages, storage sheds, barns and vacant buildings. A typical meth lab is a collection of chemical bottles, hoses and pressurized cylinders. The cylinders can take many forms, from modified propane tanks to fire extinguishers, scuba tanks and soda dispensers. The tanks contain anhydrous ammonia or hydrochloric acid—both highly poisonous and corrosive. Labs are frequently abandoned and the potentially explosive and very toxic chemicals are left behind. Chemicals may also be burned or dumped in woods or along roads. If You Suspect a Meth Lab.... Do not enter a site that you think may be used for cooking meth. Labs present extreme dangers from explosions and exposure to hazardous chemicals. Breathing the fumes and handling substances can cause injury and even death. Drug labs are considered hazardous waste sites and should only be entered by trained and equipped professionals. Never handle materials you suspect were used for making meth, such as contaminated glassware and needles. Skin contact can result in burns or poisoning. Handling items can also cause some of the chemicals to explode on contact with water or air. Consider that when professionals respond to a drug lab, they do not enter the building until they have put on chemically resistant suits and boots, special gloves and respirators. If you suspect a methamphetamine lab in your area contact your local law enforcement agency immediately. Guidelines for Cleaning up Former Methamphetamine Labs The Iowa Department of Health, Division of Environmental Health, has a resource to assist you in finding out if your property was a site for an illegal methamphetamine laboratory, concerns associated with these hazards, health effects and general guidelines in removing contaminates. This document is in an Adobe PDF file. Click on the link and download the file. Guidelines for Cleaning up Former Methamphetamine Laboratories (PDF)
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