title: Hazards of illicit methamphetamine production and efforts at reduction: data from the hazardous substances emergency events surveillance system.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Methamphetamine (meth) is a highly addictive drug of abuse that can easily be made in small illegal laboratories from household chemicals that are highly toxic and dangerous. Meth labs have been found in locations such as homes, outbuildings, motels, and cars. Its production endangers the "cook," neighbors, responders, and the environment. This article describes surveillance data used to examine the emergence and public health impacts of illicit clandestine meth labs, as well as two states' efforts to thwart lab operations and prevent responder injuries.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed data collected from 2001 to 2008 by 18 states participating in the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance (HSEES) Program to examine the occurrence and public health impacts of clandestine meth production.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HSEES data indicate that the majority of clandestine meth lab events occurred in residential areas. About 15% of meth lab events required evacuation. Nearly one-fourth of these events resulted in injuries, with 902 reported victims. Most victims (61%) were official responders, and one-third were members of the general public. Since 2004, with the implementation of local and federal laws and prevention activities, the number of meth lab events has declined. Increased education and training of first responders has led to decreased injuries among police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HSEES data provided a good data source for monitoring the emergence of domestic clandestine meth production, the associated public health effects, and the results of state and federal efforts to promote actions to address the problem.
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Division of Health Studies, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. nbm6@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Melnikova
authors.forename: Wanda Lizak
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Welles
authors.forename: Rebecca E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Wilburn
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rice
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stanbury
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000032:analysis* / Q000506:poisoning; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000032:analysis* / Q000506:poisoning; D007753:Laboratories / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000032:analysis* / Q000506:poisoning; D011159:Population Surveillance; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008694:Methamphetamine