Industrial Hygiene Testing Laboratory

Cinnaminson,  NJ, December 18^th, 2017

Last month, WPXI broadcasted a report about a police raid of an apartment in Butler County, Pennsylvania. According to the report, police were first called about a domestic disturbance at the property, but soon found much more. Officers at the scene believe they discovered a clandestine laboratory for the illegal production of drugs. In fact, at least six people are being investigated for the alleged production of methamphetamine (meth).

Chemicals commonly used in the production of methamphetamine include flammable and volatile solvents such as methanol, ether, benzene, methylene chloride and trichloroethane. Other chemicals may include muriatic acid, sodium hydroxide, table salt and ammonia. Many of these same toxic chemicals can easily contaminate carpeting, wallboard, ceiling tiles, furniture and fabrics that absorb spilled or vaporized chemicals. A number of these chemicals can remain a hazard long after the property was used to produce meth. People, and especially children, living in homes once used as clandestine methamphetamine laboratories can be exposed to these hazards left behind.

“The fact that this alleged meth lab was in an apartment complex potentially puts everyone in the complex at risk,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “During the production of meth, there are many toxic and flammable chemicals in use. Not only are chemical residues left behind inside, quite often, leftover chemicals are either dumped on the property or left behind for unsuspecting property managers, owners or future tenants.”

To help identify meth residues on surfaces that are frequently not visible to the naked eye, EMSL Analytical, Inc. has developed an easy-to-use Methamphetamine Test Kit. The kit provides a quick and simple method to collect a sample to send off to the laboratory. EMSL has also produced an online instructional video that describes common meth sampling techniques for that can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/WYEWoeOEc-k.

To learn more about methamphetamine testing or other environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.EMSL.com, email info@EMSL.com or call (800) 220-3675. To obtain a Methamphetamine Test Kit to sample for surface residues or to learn more, please visit www.EMSLTestKits.com. 

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical, Inc. is one of the leading testing laboratories with 40 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations.  In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.