Symptoms Experienced by Law Enforcement Personnel During Methamphetamine Lab Investigations

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine if law enforcement personnel experience symptoms associated with methamphetamine lab investigation and to assess those factors that may result in more symptoms. A total of 258 standardized, self-administered surveys were distributed to law enforcement personnel attending national/regional training classes, between June 2004–February 2005. Ninety-three percent of the surveys were returned and used to determine symptoms experienced while investigating clandestine methamphetamine labs, as well as the job duties of the respondent and the personal protective equipment used. More than 70% of respondents reported headaches, central nervous system symptoms, respiratory symptoms, sore throat, and other symptoms. Unadjusted and adjusted risk of symptoms was higher for those who investigated more than 30 labs. Other significant risk factors included time spent in the lab, phase of investigation, presence of active chemical processes, and coexistent disease. Respirator use was not independently associated with the likelihood of reporting symptoms. It was concluded that methamphetamine lab investigation is positively associated with symptom reporting in a high percentage of law enforcement personnel involved in these tasks. For most individuals, the reported symptoms were transitory and diminished in a short time, but some individuals reported needing to seek medical attention with symptoms that persisted.

Keywords:

• illicit drugs
• laboratories (clandestine)
• methamphetamine
• police work
• respiratory protection

Notes

^A Percentage of labs investigated with a respirator was calculated by dividing number of labs with a respirator by the total number of labs investigated. Percentage of labs investigated without a respirator was calculated by dividing number of labs without a respirator by the total number of labs investigated.

^B Missing = 2.

^C Missing = 3.

^D Missing = 4.

^A Reported one or more of 24 symptoms occurring immediately following methamphetamine lab investigation, excluding physical injury.

^B Reported cough, wheezing, or difficulty breathing.

^C Indicates a yes response to any of the questions regarding dizziness, seizures/LOC, tremors, drowsiness, lightheadedness, confusion, anxiety, slurred speech or agitation.

^D Indicates a yes response to any of the questions regarding eye pain or vision problems.

^E Indicates a yes response to any of the questions regarding burned skin or rash.

^F Indicates a yes response to any of the questions regarding nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or no appetite.

^G Data not collected.

^A Standby and firefighting phases excluded due to missing data.

^B Number of those using a particular respirator divided by the number reported performing that phase. Some respondents indicated using more than one kind of respirator for different phases.