Why insurance professionals should be concerned about Meth? : Why insurance professionals should be concerned about Meth?
Slide2 : Dangers Of A Meth Lab
Approximately 15% of the labs are discovered
because of a fire or explosion.
Cookers leave behind byproducts so toxic they
could burn the flesh off bones.
Breathing fumes from a distance can permanently
damage someone’s lungs.
Discarded needles.
Corrosive chemicals.
Booby trapped labs.
– Trip wires, hidden sticks with nails, or spikes, light
switches or lights wired to explosive devices.
Slide3 : Meth Labs-The Risk And Threat
To The Physical Safety Insurance
Professionals
Toxic Gases Toxic Wastes
Every Pound Of meth Leaves
Behind 5–6 Pounds Of Toxic Waste
Fires Explosions
One In Six meth Labs Explodes
Or Catches Fire
Slide4 :
Indicators Of A Meth Lab
Unusual, strong odors (like cat urine, ether,
ammonia, acetone, or solvents);
Residences with windows blacked out;
Renters who pay their landlords in cash;
Lots of traffic or people coming and going at
unusual times;
Large amounts of items such as antifreeze
containers, lantern fuel cans, red chemically
stained coffee filters, drain cleaner and duct tape.
Unusual amount of clear glass containers being
brought into the home.
Slide5 : What Affect Does Meth Have On A
House Or Hotel Room?
Contamination caused by the "cooking" and
disposing of Meth inside a home will affect:
floors, walls, ceilings, working surfaces,
furniture, carpeting, paneling, wallpaper,
draperies, blinds, light fixtures, kitchen
appliances, plumbing fixtures and drains,
vent fans, ceiling fans, heating and air conditioning
vents, clothing, toys, etc.
Slide6 : Where Do People “Cook” meth?
Labs are highly
portable.
Rental property.
Neighbor.
Hotel rooms.
Garage.
Storage lockers.
Trailers.
Suburbs.
National forests.
Houses.
Cars.
Slide7 : People can have meth labs in apartments effecting many people including themselves…..
Slide8 : ….. Or in nice, split-level homes in middle class neighborhoods
Slide9 : Here is an example of a meth lab explosion. The walls are not covered with
blood… but poorly processed meth. This room will require major cleanup.
Slide10 : Insured may claim fire was an Arson to account for chemicals present during a
cause and origin investigation.
Slide11 : … inside of a home. (Note the scales, the small camp cook stove on the floor, the electrical
cord dangling from the ceiling light, the scorched paneling, the many unlabeled containers of
liquids, and garbage everywhere!)
Slide12 : Three children slept in the bedroom
where this lab was discovered. Health care issues for children, is another concern for the insurance industry
Different Labs : Different Labs
Never Open the unknown!! : Never Open the unknown!!
And You thought it was an Empty Trunk : And You thought it was an Empty Trunk
Slide16 : Meth Lab Explosion Burns
Slide17 : Innocent bystanders can also become victims of a meth lab “flash fire.” Meth Lab Explosion Burns
Slide18 : EFFECTS OF ANHYDROUS
AMMONIA ON THE BODY One key ingredient can cause severe burns and even tissue or muscle
damage. Anhydrous ammonia, a key ingredient in Meth manufacturing, can
cause horrific damage when mishandled. This person's buttocks were
largely eaten away after contact with some of the chemical.
Slide19 : … in a back yard ‘pit”…
Slide20 : During one stage of the “cook”, meth is often heated. Refrigeration is also
helpful, especially for storage of some of the ingredients.
Here we see Lithium being stored in the fridge, in a fast food restaurant cup..
Which would also contain either oil or kerosene. It must be kept cool and
not in contact with any form or moisture, or it can explode.
Slide21 : Unlabeled container with meth oil on top. Below, a larger container that will
allow for easier separation of the meth oil from the waste products. Plus
other assorted items used during the cook process.
Samples of a “gas generator” used during one stage of the “Cook” process. : Samples of a “gas generator” used during one stage of the “Cook” process.
Chemicals Found In Meth Labs : Chemicals Found In Meth Labs Ephedrine (cold tablets)
Pseudoephedrine (cold tablets)
Acetone (nail polish remover)
Ether (engine starter fluid)
Sulfuric acid (drain cleaner)
Methanol/alcohol (gasoline additives)
Salt
Lithium (batteries)
Anhydrous ammonia (farm fertilizer)
Red phosphorus (matches)
Iodine
Meth Lab Garbage : Meth Lab Garbage
More Meth Lab Garbage : More Meth Lab Garbage
And even More Meth Lab Garbage : And even More Meth Lab Garbage
Not Just a Standard Milk Jug : Not Just a Standard Milk Jug
Equipment Used In Methamphetamine Labs : Equipment Used In Methamphetamine Labs Pyrex or corning dishes
Jugs
Bottles
Funnels
Coffee filters
Blender
Rubber tubing
Rubber gloves
Strainer
Aluminum foil
Propane cylinder
Fire extinguisher
Propane Cylinder with Andryous Ammonia Residue : Propane Cylinder with Andryous Ammonia Residue
Minum Required Chemical Protection Suits : Minum Required Chemical Protection Suits
What Is Methamphetamine? : What Is Methamphetamine? Powerful central nervous system stimulant.
A synthetic drug with a high exposure for
abuse and dependence.
Easy to produce and sold in pill form,
powder and chunks.
Street cost between $80 and $100 per
gram.
Slide32 : Meth by any other name…..
The Effects Of Meth. : The Effects Of Meth.
A 23 year old male’s teeth and gums after 3+ years of meth use : A 23 year old male’s teeth and gums after 3+ years of meth use
Meth “Mites” : Meth “Mites”
8 years of Meth Use : 8 years of Meth Use
18 Months Of Meth Use : 18 Months Of Meth Use
Dealing With A Tweaker : Dealing With A Tweaker Keep your distance. Coming too close can be perceived as
threatening.
No bright lights. The tweaker is already paranoid and if, blinded
by a bright light, he or she is likely to run or become violent.
Slow your speech and lower your voice. A tweaker already
hears sound at a fast pace and high pitch.
Slow your movements. This will decrease the odds that the
tweaker will misinterpret your physical actions.
Keep your hands visible. If you place your hands where the
tweaker cannot see them he may feel threatened and become
violent.
Keep the tweaker talking. A tweaker that falls silent can be
extremely dangerous. Silence often means that his paranoid
thoughts have taken over reality, and anyone present can
become a part of his paranoid delusions. People that abuse Meth regularly are called Tweakers. Here are six tips
when dealing with one
What to do if you discover or suspect a Meth Lab is present : What to do if you discover or suspect a Meth Lab is present Contact local law enforcement
Do not touch anything
Stay away until scene is cleared