The Equipment

Environmental damage is another consequence of clandestine meth labs. Meth lab "cooks" leave approximately six pounds of hazardous toxic waste for each pound of methamphetamine produced. Lab operators often pour leftover chemicals and by-products down household drains, wells, storm drains, or directly onto the ground. Solvents and other toxic chemicals used in the methamphetamine manufacturing process pose long-term hazards because they remain in the soil and groundwater for years. Clean-up costs are extremely high because contaminated soil, building and other materials must be removed and incinerated.