Under state law, Ecology is responsible for handling and disposing all hazardous substances found at illegal drug-lab sites. The agency works hand in hand with local law enforcers, the Washington State Patrol, and fire and health departments. If the police call us and we don't respond, the chain breaks. Raids could get cancelled and arrests compromised. Methamphetamine is produced using a combination of highly hazardous, toxic chemicals, such as acids, sodium hydroxide, flammable solvents, anhydrous ammonia, lithium and sodium metals, and red phosphorous.
Some substances can cause severe injury or death if inhaled or touched.
Others can react violently if heated, mixed with water or exposed to air. Although law officers are first on the scene at drug-lab sites, it is Ecology's role to identify and properly dispose of the hazardous substances after evidence is collected. Some county totals are estimated. Counties not listed had no meth-lab cleanups since 1990.