Many of the contaminants present during the meth cooking process can be harmful if someone is exposed to them. These contaminants can cause health problems including respiratory (breathing) problems, skin and eye irritation, headaches, nausea, and dizziness. Acute (short-term) exposures to high concentrations of some of these chemicals, such as those law enforcement officers face when they first, enter a lab, can cause severe health problems including lung damage and burns to different parts of the body.
There is little known about the health effects from chronic (long-term)
exposure to
contaminants left behind after a meth lab is dismantled. Until the contaminants have
been identified, their quantities measured, and their health effects known
Federal Regulations
advises property owners to exercise caution and use the safest possible cleaning
practices in dealing with a former meth lab property and any possible remaining
contamination.