Table 2 Examples of frequently used chemicals and associated hazards in illegal drug (meth) production; source: Hannan [28]
From: Management of clandestine drug laboratories: need for evidence-based environmental health policies
Chemical | Example of source | Hazard property (hazard class) per DOT regulations |
|---|---|---|
Petroleum (toluene, xylene, ether) | Toluol; xylol; starting fluid (ether); Coleman camping fuel (mixture of petroleum solvents) | Flammable liquids (3) |
Sodium hydroxide | Red Devil Lye | Corrosive base (8) |
Sulphuric acid | Draino | Corrosive acid (8) |
Hydrochloric acid | Muriatic—pool cleaner | Corrosive acid (8) |
Lithium | Lithium batteries | Dangerous when wet (4.3) |
Red phosphorus | Matchbox strike plates | Flammable solid (4.1) |
Iodine | Pharmaceuticals | Corrosive (8) |
Anhydrous ammonia | Agriculture cooperative | Poisonous gas (2.3) |