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Arguably, aside from the daily routine dangers you cope with, two of the most dangerous situations that firefighters and other first responders face today are terrorist actions and clandestine methamphetamine ("meth") drug labs.
What's "out there" can hurt you. Illegal meth labs are a deadly business. The process of combining multiple chemicals creates hazardous conditions, including fire, explosions and airborne toxic gases, besides considerable hazardous chemical waste, all of which pose a threat to first responders and the public.
Potential hazards of drug labs start with facing the perpetrators themselves, but are heightened considerably by the chemical soup of the nasty environments they create. Even careless assemblage of household chemicals in their original state signifies a potentially unpredictable and volatile mix that no one should approach without protection. Failure to protect yourself before entering a drug lab could lead to lifelong health problems and even death.
Some common chemicals used are acetone, toluene, methanol methyl alcohol, denatured alcohol, ether, anhydrous ammonia, lithium, red phosphorous, iodine or iodine crystals, muriatic acid, sulfuric acid, lye, hydrochloric acid and hypophosphorous acid. Interrupting lab activities during manufacture increases first responders' risk of encountering chemicals such as hydrochloric and phosphine gases, which can cause immediate and irreversible damage to human tissues. Unfortunately, such encounters occur every day.
Also consider the mental and emotional states of the lab operators themselves. Preoccupied with making money, producing their end product as quickly as possible and possibly high on drugs themselves, they pay little attention to the side effects of their cook. Their children, neighbors, associates and any unwelcome firefighters can easily be unwitting victims of the lab operators' carelessness, stupidity, and greed. Personal safety is not on the lab operator's agenda, but it MUST be the top priority for all firefighters and other first responders approaching the scene.
Appropriate PPE
Being first on the scene usually means that you have to be prepared for the worst. These days, responders must protect themselves for the unknown, approach the scene and determine what the hazards are, then adjust their equipment needs to suit the hazards. This means that you need to understand the hazards, as well as the degree and type of protection offered by different respirators and other personal protective equipment (PPE). Effective response to drug labs and other dangers is much more likely if you are familiar with your PPE and how it works for you. Then, you can protect yourself properly and concentrate on doing your job.
What types of PPE do you need? Drug labs typically encompass a wide range of potential dangers that demand a number of different types of personal protection and tools. Categories include atmospheric (gas) detectors, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), air-purifying respirators (gas masks) with multiple-gas cartridges, head protection, eyewear and face shields, communication systems, fall protection and rescue devices, ballistic protection, lighting devices, clothing, gloves, boots and first aid.
Before using PPE, wearers MUST be trained in its use and understand it enough to answer questions like: Is this product appropriate for this use? What are its limitations? What will it do for me and for how long? PPE needs inside and around drug labs range from heavy-duty to light protection, depending on the hazards, and only testing the atmosphere(s) can guide you to the correct choices of PPE.
Portable Gas Detectors
Careless handling of methamphetamine components can quickly result in the release of dangerous gases. You simply cannot approach a suspected meth lab site — with or without the risk of fire — without using appropriate portable gas detectors to help identify possible combustible and toxic gases and lack of oxygen. Your handheld gas detectors should be easy to use, sensitive, versatile, accurate, reliable, fast-responding and easy to maintain.
With superior technology, photoionization detectors (PIDs) measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, toluene and acetone, all typical substances for meth production. PIDs use an ultraviolet lamp to ionize chemical compounds, then display its concentration in parts per million (ppm). PIDs also outperform other technologies in response speed and detection of very low levels of gas concentrations. Multi-gas detectors have electrochemical sensors that detect specific clan lab contaminants such as ammonia and phosphine.
Respiratory Protection
The first step BEFORE approaching any lab is to suit up in protective clothing and don your SCBA. Arm yourself with a handheld gas-detecting instrument that can help you determine just what you're getting into. After the gas detector identifies the airborne hazards present (such as lack of oxygen, or ammonia and phosphine gases), you can reassess your PPE needs. For example, an air-purifying respirator (APR) with multiple-gas cartridges may be sufficient protection for the immediate situation.
You can add an APR adapter to your air mask, or you can exchange your SCBA for a much-lighter air-purifying respirator (half-mask or full-facepiece, depending on whether you need eye protection). An effective respiratory protection program requires proper selection, fit-testing, training, and maintenance — procedures that should be assimilated into your organization's standard operating procedures (SOPs).
PPE used for responding to drug labs is probably similar to what you already use when responding to chemical spills and other hazmat situations. Much of what you must learn in preparation for terrorist activities also prepares you for dealing effectively with drug lab encounters. SCBA wearers are already familiar with many elements of respiratory protection. These topics include, but are not limited to:
- Information about potential hazards
- Types of PPE and how to select, use and care for it
- What is meant by "the highest level of protection"
- Government standards that are related to these hazards and the appropriate PPE that you should wear, such as respiratory protection certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
- The need for geographic interaction with other first responders (fire service, emergency medical service, independent security forces, hospitals, etc.)
- Training
Other Considerations
Care must be used when using thermal imaging cameras (TICs) because they are not intrinsically approved for use in environments containing certain gases. TICs may, however, be used OUTSIDE of the lab building to spot areas of heat from a distance (the "cook" if it's in process, cooking fuel sources and people). Communication devices attached to your helmet or respiratory protection may be helpful in cases that involve large areas and a number of first responders.
Totally encapsulating suits, gloves and boots designed to protect you from the effects of some hazmat spills may be needed in some meth lab circumstances. First responders (especially law enforcement) may wear ballistic helmets and vests if, for example, their pre-surveillance reports have identified lab operators as likely to use firearms.
Manufacturers of industrial safety gear and instrumentation and their distributors are good sources of information and assistance in choosing the correct PPE for drug lab encounters. Investment in the necessary training time and appropriate safety gear will make you much better equipped to do your job when you come face to face with hazards that threaten your safety and health and that of the public.
Note: The information contained within this article is intended as a general introduction and must not be construed as complete instructions for responding to clandestine drug labs or other hazardous environments. Be sure to consult with a qualified expert before responding to such environments.
LARRY KONSIN is MSA market manager for fire service products, including self-contained breathing apparatus, thermal imaging cameras, gas detectors and other personal protective equipment. He has worked in the safety products industry since 1991.
author: By LARRY KONSIN