AIHA Expands Mock Meth Lab Exhibit
According to the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an estimated 5.77 percent of the U.S. population aged 12 or older have used methamphetamine at least once in their lifetimes for non-medical purposes. In 2006 there were an estimated 731,000 current users of methamphetamine, aged 12 or older, representing 0.3 percent of the population. Among persons aged 12 or older, there were 259,000 recent, new users of methamphetamine taken for non-medical purposes during 2006.
As methamphetamine abuse continues to be a national problem, it is all the more appropriate that this year's AIHce08 event will not only see the return of the "Mock Meth Lab," but also its expansion.
As done previously, the exhibit will display actual seized paraphernalia to educate attendees about the different manufacturing methods being used in methamphetamine labs, their resulting chemical exposures and health effects, and the remediation practices that must be employed during cleanup.
Industrial hygienists who test meth lab sites for contamination and recommend cleanup procedures will be on hand to educate other IHs on the proper assessment of health and safety risks from these labs.
New this year, the lab has been expanded to include a photo display and information on other kinds of clandestine drug labs that may be encountered by IHs. Additional information will be provided on the health and safety issues presented by marijuana grow houses, as well as ecstasy and PCP manufacturing labs, among others.
Local first responders have been invited to attend the mock drug lab again to learn how to better protect themselves when investigating suspected lab sites. The mock lab will be open during regular expo hours.