Product No. 2002-L0424-001

BULLETIN INFORMATION

JULY 2002

U. S. D E P A R T M E N T O F J U S T I C E

Overview

An increasing number of children in the

United States are exposed to toxic chemicals

because methamphetamine laboratories are being

operated in or near their homes. In addition, these

children often are abused or neglected by the

parents, guardians, or others who operate these

laboratories. The number of children found at

seized methamphetamine laboratory sites in the

United States more than doubled from 1999

through 2001.

Methamphetamine laboratory sites typically

contain toxic chemicals and waste as well as finished product and drug paraphernalia. Children who

inhabit homes where laboratories are present often

inhale dangerous chemical fumes or gases or ingest

toxic chemicals or illicit drugs. Exposure to these

substances can cause serious short- and long-term

health problems including damage to the brain,

liver, kidneys, lungs, eyes, and skin. Children whose

parents or guardians produce or abuse methamphetamine also are likely to develop emotional and

behavioral problems stemming from abuse or

neglect. In addition, inhaling or ingesting toxic

substances such as those present at methamphetamine laboratories may cause cancer or death.

Few areas of the country have programs in

place to coordinate the social and legal aspects of

cases involving children at methamphetamine

laboratories; however, implementation of an effective program is possible, as illustrated by the Drug

Endangered Children (DEC) program in California.

Rates of Exposure

Most, if not all, of the children present at

methamphetamine laboratories are exposed to

dangerous chemicals including precursor chemicals, reagents used to convert precursor chemicals

into methamphetamine, solvents, and the drug

itself. The number of children present at seized

methamphetamine laboratory sites increased

Photo courtesy of the Press Enterprise newspaper–Riverside, California

A 5-year-old boy had to be decontaminated when police found

a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in his Palm Springs

home in November 1999. Riverside County Fire Department/

California Department of Forestry Capt. Larry Katuls leads the

boy, wearing a protective suit, to a police car.
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Children at Risk

from 950 in 1999 to 2,028 in 2001, according to

the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) El Paso

Intelligence Center (EPIC) National Clandestine

Laboratory Seizure System as of May 15, 2002. In

2001 approximately 35 percent (700) of the 2,028

children found at methamphetamine laboratory sites

tested positive for toxic levels of chemicals in their

bodies. (See Table 1.) In 2001 the states reporting the

highest number of children present at methamphetamine laboratories were California (503), Washington

(326), Oregon (241), and Missouri (161). These

figures are recognized as underreported because

many states do not keep records on children present

at laboratory sites or medically evaluate them for

the presence of drugs or chemicals.

Effects of Exposure

Chemicals used in methamphetamine production

are extremely hazardous (see Table 2 on page 3).

The risk of exposure to toxic chemicals at laboratory

sites may be much greater for children than for

adults. Young children, unlike adults, engage in

behavior that can lead to increased incidents of

exposure such as placing their hands and objects in

their mouths and playing on floors, tabletops, and

countertops or outdoors in the dirt. Producers who

operate laboratories in or near residences often

produce methamphetamine using common household items including kitchen utensils, dishes,

appliances, sheets, and other linens. These items may

become contaminated and then fall into the hands of

unsuspecting children. Toxic chemicals

also frequently are discarded outdoors near areas

where children play. For example, in April 2002 a

methamphetamine laboratory was discovered in

the bedroom of a 1-year-old child in Deville,

Louisiana. According to officers from the Deville

Police Department, the child was found moving

about the home in a walker at the time of the raid.

The infant’s parents were charged with multiple

drug-related crimes as well as child desertion,

which includes negligent exposure of a child

younger than 10 to dangerous or hazardous situations. Local authorities took custody of the child.

The physical effects resulting from exposure to

the toxic chemicals present at methamphetamine

laboratories vary based on the manner in which the

chemicals are introduced into the body. Children at

methamphetamine laboratories may absorb chemicals into their bodies via ingestion, inhalation, skin

contact, or accidental injection.

Although exposure most frequently results

from inhalation or through contact with the skin,

ingestion poses the greatest risk to a child’s health.

Children may ingest toxic chemicals by eating or

drinking contaminated food or beverages—which

may be prepared using the same kitchen utensils and

appliances used for methamphetamine production—

or by placing a contaminated object into their

mouths. Children also have consumed various

forms of methamphetamine. Ingesting toxic chemicals or methamphetamine may result in potentially

fatal poisoning, internal chemical burns, damage to

organ function and development, and harm and

inhibition to neurological and immunologic development and functioning.

Long-Term Risks to Children

A child’s developing brain and other organs are

more susceptible to damage at specific maturational levels, and children may be less able to

process and eliminate chemicals than adults. A

child exposed to toxic chemicals may develop

acute or chronic diseases such as cancer and

organ damage. In addition, children who have

lived in a home where methamphetamine was

produced often exhibit emotional and behavioral

problems that may persist indefinitely.

Source: Drug Endangered Children Program.

Table 1. Children at Methamphetamine

Laboratories

Present at Seized

Laboratories

Tested Positive for Toxic

Levels of Chemicals

1 0 999 9 0 5 15

2 8 000 1 0 ,74 34

2 8 001 2 0 ,02 70

Source: DEA EPIC National Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System.
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National Drug Intelligence Center

Inhaling chemical vapors and gases resulting

from the methamphetamine production process

causes shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain.

Exposure to these vapors and gases may also cause

intoxication, dizziness, nausea, disorientation, lack of

coordination, pulmonary edema, chemical

pneumonitis, and other serious respiratory problems

when absorbed into the body through the lungs.

The chemicals used to produce methamphetamine may cause serious burns if they come into

contact with the skin. Chemicals often are spilled

onto surfaces within the household where methamphetamine laboratories are operating, and sometimes the chemicals are spilled directly onto children present in these areas.

Many methamphetamine producers also abuse

the drug, sometimes via injection. This increases

the risk of a child’s being injected accidentally

with methamphetamine or other drugs when

needles and drug paraphernalia are left within a

child’s reach. Contact with contaminated needles

also can expose children to infectious diseases

such as HIV and hepatitis.

Children at methamphetamine laboratories are

at risk for other injuries as well. Some chemicals

used in methamphetamine production are highly

volatile and may ignite or explode if mixed or stored

improperly. For example, in February 2001 Catoosa

County, Georgia, authorities responded to a fire and

explosion in a home. An 11-month-old infant was

Source: DEA Office of Diversion Control.

C s hemical Hazard

Pseudoephedrine

Ingestion of doses greater than 240 mg causes hypertension, arrhythmia, anxiety,

dizziness, and vomiting. Ingestion of doses greater than 600 mg can lead to renal

failure and seizures.

Acetone/Ethyl Alcohol Extremely flammable, posing a fire risk in and around the laboratory. Inhalation or

ingestion of these solvents causes severe gastric irritation, narcosis, or coma.

Freon

Inhalation can cause sudden cardiac death or severe lung damage. It is corrosive if

ingested.

Anhydrous Ammonia

A colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor. Inhalation causes edema of the

respiratory tract and asphyxia. Contact with vapors damages eyes and mucous

membranes.

Red Phosphorus

May explode on contact or friction. Ignites if heated above 260°C. Vapor from

ignited phosphorus severely irritates the nose, throat, lungs, and eyes.

Hypophosphorous Acid Extremely dangerous substitute for red phosphorus. If overheated, deadly

phosphine gas is released. Poses a serious fire and explosion hazard.

Lithium Metal Extremely caustic to all body tissues. Reacts violently with water and poses a fire

or explosion hazard.

Hydriodic Acid

A corrosive acid with vapors that are irritating to the respiratory system, eyes, and

skin. If ingested, causes severe internal irritation and damage that may cause

death.

Iodine Crystals

Give off vapor that is irritating to the respiratory system and eyes. Solid form

irritates the eyes and may burn skin. If ingested, causes severe internal damage.

Phenylpropanolamine

Ingestion of doses greater than 75 mg causes hypertension, arrhythmia, anxiety,

and dizziness. Quantities greater than 300 mg can lead to renal failure, seizures,

stroke, and death.

Table 2. Hazardous Chemicals Used in Methamphetamine Production
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Children at Risk

rushed to the hospital in critical condition with burns

and other injuries. The infant passed away after

several months. The parents, who were fugitives,

were captured in July 2001 while attempting to

purchase precursor chemicals.

Related Abuse and

Neglect

Methamphetamine producers and abusers

typically become so preoccupied with the drug that

they abuse or neglect their children. According to

Inland Narcotics Clearing House data, nearly 70

percent of the child abuse cases reported in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, California,

during 2001 were methamphetamine-related.

Children whose parents or guardians produce or

abuse methamphetamine typically lack proper

immunizations, medical care, dental care, and

necessities such as food, water, and shelter. For

example, in March 2002 Los Angeles County

Sheriff’s deputies found four children who were

begging for food in their neighborhood in Diamond

Bar, California. The deputies found that the children

had been left alone in their home, which had no

food, water, or electricity. The children led the

deputies to a methamphetamine laboratory in the

family’s garage. The children frequently were

present at the laboratory because they were being

homeschooled in the same garage.

Strategies to Assist

Children at Risk

Law enforcement authorities, prosecutors,

social workers, medical professionals, and hazardous materials cleanup crews are increasingly aware

of the serious risks faced by children who are

present at methamphetamine laboratories. However,

many communities have not yet implemented

strategies that allow legal, social, and medical

professionals to combine their resources effectively

and break the cycle of child endangerment.

Butte County, California, developed a collaborative effort to improve the safety and health

of children endangered by drug production,

distribution, and abuse in 1993 when it initiated the

Drug Endangered Children (DEC) program. DEC

brings together law enforcement officers, social

workers, public health nurses, and district attorneys in

a cooperative effort to remove children from homes

where methamphetamine is produced and to safeguard the children from further abuse and neglect.

The DEC program is a model by which many

agencies can learn how to best address the legal,

medical, and social issues associated with children

present at methamphetamine laboratories and other

hazardous drug production and abuse environments. A key component of the DEC program is a

response team that is on call 24 hours a day. The

DEC Response Team—which includes social

Four-Year-Old Child Found

at Methamphetamine

Production Site

In March 2000 narcotics task force officers and a

DEC social worker in Butte County discovered a

methamphetamine laboratory at a residence while

conducting a probation search. Upon arrival, they

discovered a 4-year-old girl, naked, playing outdoors

beside laboratory waste and a dead cat. It was

discovered that her mother had been producing

methamphetamine in a travel trailer located on the

property. The child drew pictures and spoke clearly

about a glass smoking pipe and numerous incidents

of domestic violence she had witnessed in the home.

The mother was arrested for manufacturing

methamphetamine, maintaining a residence to

manufacture, being armed in commission of a

felony, and child endangerment. The child was

taken to a local hospital for lab work and a physical

exam where toxicology screens were positive for

methamphetamine and other illicit drugs. She was

infested with head lice and was suffering from

infections in both ears, which required immediate

medical attention. The child, who was developmentally delayed, was placed in a foster home that

deals specifically with drug exposed, at-risk children.

Source: DEC.
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National Drug Intelligence Center

workers, trained fire department personnel (members of the hazardous materials unit, in particular),

public health nurses, and law enforcement personnel—is called upon frequently to treat and care for

children found at laboratory sites and assist with

the criminal investigation. The entire DEC Response Team receives specialized training regarding methamphetamine production and the circumstances specific to drug endangered children, and

all personnel have experience or receive training in

criminal investigations related to evidence collection in child endangerment cases.

In Butte County, California, where the DEC

program was informally developed in 1993, the

team has removed 80 to 100 children from drugrelated endangerment situations each year since its

inception and has successfully prosecuted hundreds of cases of child endangerment. Other

counties in California have had similar success,

and nine other states (Washington, Oregon, Idaho,

Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Oklahoma, Missouri, and

Illinois) have begun to replicate DEC Response

Teams in their local communities. In Riverside

County the DEC program was officially begun in

1999. During the initial 18 months, 33 methamphetamine laboratories were seized where children

were present. Eighty-three children were taken into

custody, and felony charges were filed against 75

individuals. In Orange County the DEC team has

coordinated the removal of children from methamphetamine laboratories and has assisted the Orange

County District Attorney’s Office with charging

their parents with felony child endangerment.

Due to the success of the program in California where it is now operating in 15 counties, the

National Methamphetamine Chemical Initiative

(NMCI) will fund the travel of DEC instructors to

other states interested in starting a program. (See

DEC Points of Contact on page 6.)

Outlook

The number of children present at methamphetamine laboratories, which more than doubled from

1999 through 2001, is expected to continue to

increase at an even higher rate. As the number of

children present at methamphetamine laboratories

increases, more will suffer the physical and psychological effects associated with exposure to

dangerous chemicals, and the number of related

abuse and neglect cases will increase. Law enforcement agencies, medical personnel, and social

workers will continue to be challenged to develop

innovative solutions such as the DEC program to

address this problem.
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Children at Risk

DEC Points of Contact

Antonio Loya

California Precursor Committee and NMCI Coordinator

DEC Training

Telephone: (619) 557-7847

Fax: (619) 235-2770

E-mail: Tony.Loya@usdoj.gov

Kathleen West, Ph.D.

DEC Resource Center

Telephone: (310) 452-5968

Fax: (310) 452-5857

E-mail: KathleenMWest@earthlink.net

Sources

Associated Press

Catoosa County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office

Columbia University

National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse

Department of Justice

Drug Enforcement Administration

El Paso Intelligence Center

National Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System

Deville, Louisiana, Police Department

Drug Endangered Children Program

Inland Narcotics Clearing House (CA)

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office

Los Angeles Times
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National Drug Intelligence Center

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Children at Risk

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