Understanding Risks and Impacts of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Contamination
Explore the high risks associated with Methamphetamine and Fentanyl contamination, including the severity and frequency factors. Learn about the environmental exposure routes, consequences for occupants, trends, costs, remediation processes, and more.
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Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Risks Patrick Naffah, CIH Roosevelt Ward CIH, CSP, QISP Kai Chiu, CIH, PE, CSP, CPE, CPCU August 15, 2023
Mr. Patrick Naffah is an American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) with over seven (7) years of professional experience in the environmental, health and safety field. Mr. Roosevelt Ward is an ABIH CIH, BCSP Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and California Qualified Industrial Storm Water Practitioner (QISP) with over 20 years of experience in the environmental, health and safety field. Mr. Kai Chiu is an Environmental Health and Safety Professional with over 30 years experience. Mr. Chiu has intensive and extensive knowledge of both environmental laws and Occupational Health and Safety regulations, and holds the following certifications: CIH, CSP, Professional Engineer (PE), Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE), and CPCU.
What makes Meth/Fent High Risk? What makes Meth/Fent High Risk? RISK = FREQUENCY x SEVERITY RISK = FREQUENCY x SEVERITY Frequency Severity What happens to new occupants (e.g., elderly, babies) if exposed in a contaminated environment? What are the ongoing trends with meth/fent? How often is meth/fent used? What happens to a property manager, contractor, or general public in a contaminated environment? How often is meth/fent manufactured? Who s on the hook for not assessing or appropriately remediating a contaminated environment? What are the associated costs (e.g., litigation)? How expensive is a typical meth lab remediation? How expensive is a meth-use site remediation?
Fent Meth Introduction Introduction Binds to the body s opioid receptors Causes relaxation, euphoria, pain relief and extreme happiness Discovered in it s powdered or pill form. Causes a pleasurable sense of well- being or euphoria Increased wakefulness and physical activity Discovered in it s powdered, pill, or crystal form. Takeaways Both substances = high potential for widespread misuse and addiction. Fentanyl commonly laced with other illicit drugs (e.g., inexpensiveness, increased potency). Fentanyl is commonly present in collected methamphetamine surface samples.
Environmental Environmental Exposure Routes Exposure Routes Who Suffers the Who Suffers the Consequences? Consequences? Smoking of meth/fent can result in contaminated surfaces (e.g., ceilings, walls, counters) and HVAC systems potentially exposing any working staff, current/future residential occupants, and the public. o Residues are deposited on all surfaces. Labs are similar; however, many more chemicals/hazards. o E.g., toxic gases, chemicals, contaminated HVAC/plumbing systems (illegal dumping) Secondary exposure routes include: Inhalation Contaminated air and HVAC system Dermal Skin contact with the contaminated area Ingestion Hand to mouth, or deciding to consume
(Strange Odors) (Strange Odors) Identifying Use and Identifying Use and Distribution Areas Distribution Areas Paraphernalia and Paraphernalia and Clues Clues MAY BE PRESENT IN ANY ENVIRONMENT: - Apartments/Homes - Commercial Buildings - Storage Units - Public Transportation - Public Spaces - Metropolitan Areas - Schools - Etc.
Identifying Suspect Identifying Suspect Laboratory Activities Laboratory Activities Paraphernalia and Paraphernalia and Clues Clues (Strange Odors) (Strange Odors) MAY BE PRESENT IN ANY ENVIRONMENT: - Apartments/Homes - Commercial Buildings - Storage Units - Public Transportation - Public Spaces - Metropolitan Areas - Schools - Etc. California HSC 25400.11 (n) Methamphetamine laboratory activity means the illegal manufacturing or storage of methamphetamine. Key note: A lab can easily be defined as any processing of methamphetamine/fentanyl. A lab can be very simple and easy to overlook.
Regardless of the type of suspected site (usage, storage, lab), secure the area and do not approach or attempt to enter the space. Contact an environmental specialist to appropriately assess the hazards and provide guidance on the proper actions.
Overall, drug overdose deaths rose from 2019 to 2021 with more than 106,000 drug overdose deaths reported in 2021. Key Meth and Fent Key Meth and Fent Trends Trends FREQUENCY FREQUENCY Data provided by the NCDAS (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics) By 2017, meth-related overdose deaths were greatly outpaced by non-heroin opioids, primarily fentanyl.
From March 2018 to February 2019, 47% of drug overdoses involved fentanyl Key Fentanyl Trends Key Fentanyl Trends FREQUENCY FREQUENCY Data provided by the NCDAS (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics) Fentanyl overdose rates increased 1,105% from 2012 to 2018. Almost 60 million lethal doses were confiscated by the DEA over two years.
Rough Cost of Rough Cost of Drug Use Area Drug Use Area SEVERITY SEVERITY Initial Site Assessment by a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) $5 $10K Collection of information and preparing a sampling strategy Surface sampling for methamphetamine and fentanyl residues in common areas and the HVAC system. Investigation for a potential laboratory activities Laboratory analyzes the samples *NOTE: these costs are nominal *NOTE: these costs are nominal compared to costs associated with compared to costs associated with a worst case event (e.g., a worst case event (e.g., exposure/illness, death, litigation) exposure/illness, death, litigation) Data is interpreted and conclusions/recommendations provided in a technical report Site RemediationUse Area: Typically <$20K Decontamination and/or replacement of the HVAC System Decontamination and/or removal of building materials Remediation Contractor/Equipment fees Post Remediation Assessment by CIH $5 $10K Similar to the Initial Site Assessment. Performed to ensure that remediation was performed below regulatory limits.
California, HSC 25400.36 & 25400.37 California, HSC 25400.36 & 25400.37 Preliminary Safety Preliminary Safety Assessment (PSA) Work Assessment (PSA) Work Plan/Report Plan/Report SEVERITY SEVERITY CA HSC 25400.36 - PSA Work Plan by CIH (<$5k): o Summary of information/interviews o Lab methods, ingredients, hazards o Areas of concern o Sampling protocols, analytical methods o Description of areas and items that will be remediated (if any) CA HSC 25400.37 - PSA Report by CIH (<$5k): o Description of sampling methods and results o Sampling strategy o Remediation recommendations o A plan for post remediation site assessment *NOTE: these costs are nominal *NOTE: these costs are nominal compared to costs associated with a compared to costs associated with a worst case event (e.g., worst case event (e.g., exposure/illness, death, litigation) exposure/illness, death, litigation) PSA Work Plans and Reports are required by California law when a methamphetamine laboratory or storage activities Lab use areas typically require much more extensive remediation due to the numerous chemicals and reactions that occur (e.g., acids, metals, VOCs).
A A- -Tech Case Tech Case Bay Area Bay Area A-Tech identified a former methamphetamine manufacturing site based on miscellaneous commercial products. A-Tech advised the Client on ways to navigate potential liabilities involved with a former methamphetamine manufacturing site. A-Tech performed environmental sampling, prepared a Preliminary Site Assessment (PSA) Work Plan, and managed communication with the local regulatory agency. A-Tech ensured the health and safety of the remediation employees, the public, and future occupants. Regulatory compliance was ensured throughout the project. Proper Site Characterization and Remediation Risk Management
Industrial Hygiene Hazard Assessments Risk Management Risk Assessments and Reduction Control Recommendations A A- -Tech s Services Tech s Services One Stop Shop One Stop Shop Litigation Support/Subject Matter Expert (witness) Air Contamination Assessments Accident Prevention Occupational Exposure Risk Assessments Noise Monitoring Construction Monitoring & Oversight Infection Control Toxic Environments Testing Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) Forensic Sampling & Testing Infection Control Monitoring Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) USP 797 Environmental Monitoring Ventilation Assessments Viable Bacterial & Fungal Air Monitoring Ergonomics Hazardous Substances & Waste Management Ergonomics Assessments Ergonomic Design Recommendations Improving Hazardous Materials/Waste Management Program Ergonomics Training Waste Management Audits Regulatory Compliance Assistance Universal Waste Management
Questions/Open Discussion Patrick Naffah, CIH 714-912-5071 Patrick@atechinc.net Roosevelt Ward, CIH, CSP, QISP 714-483-4566 Roosevelt@atechinc.net Kai Chiu, CIH, CSP, PE, CPE, CPCU 714-912-5802 Kai@atechinc.net August 15, 2023
