Austin residents expressed concern when they learned two more suspected methamphetamine manufacturing operations were discovered in homes last week.

Saturday, July 22, 2000

Austin residents expressed concern when they learned two more suspected methamphetamine manufacturing operations were discovered in homes last week. In addition, firefighters are taking precaution by learning about the volatility of such operations.

The recent meth lab busts, occurring at 1304 10th Drive SE and 1909 Second Ave. NW, bring the number of groups of arrests to three for this year.

Suddenly, a problem that many may have thought happened only elsewhere, has found its way into the community, shattering residents’ sense of safety and security.

How has such an occurrence affected Austinites? Actually, many of them were unaware that it was happening.

Elizabeth Workman, secretary at Jax Plumbing, located downstairs from the residence on 10th Drive SE, was quite surprised to learn of this latest incident.

If anything had been going on, she said she had not been aware and instantly became concerned.

"What if there had been a fire?" she asked. "Our business would have burned down."

Brie Bednar, an employee of CT Farm and Country, located nearby on 10th Drive SE, expressed her concern.

Bednar said she hadn’t noticed anything suspicious in the area, feeling as though the majority of the people doing this have been caught.

While there may be others out there, Bednar said, people are more aware of the situation and are on the lookout.

"It’s kind of like a wakeup call for us," Bednar said. "It’s happening more than you know, and it helps us keep our eyes open."

Police Chief Paul Philipp said the increase in meth lab incidents is mainly because of to the rising popularity of the drug itself.

"As things become more popular, they start to trickle down into smaller communities," Philipp said.

Philipp stressed, however, that residents need not worry about Austin turning into a place where they have to be afraid to walk alone at night.

Generally speaking, he said, the meth lab busts have been smaller in nature; most are for the individuals’ own personal use. Some are used for outside sales, but not to a huge extent.

On Wednesday night, the Austin Fire Department held a four-hour training course on meth labs that was conducted by the state fire marshal’s office.

Fire Chief Dan Wilson explained that it was to promote awareness among his crew.

"It basically said: ‘Here’s how they make it, here are the ingredients they use, and here’s how to protect yourself from it,’" Wilson said.

Wilson described a video they saw featuring a Missouri highway patrolman who stopped an individual for a routine traffic stop.

After opening the trunk, he noticed a thermos bottle inside and opened it. It was filled with anhydrous ammonia, a highly dangerous chemical used most often by farmers.

As anhydrous means ‘without water,’ it’s looking for water to latch on to; coming in contact with it can have serious, and sometimes fatal, consequences.

Wilson said it was interesting, as well as educational, for members of the fire department to see how individuals go about putting such a dangerous chemical together.

"By having the education and knowledge, we can be sure it’s a safe situation for us," he said.

The main danger, he explained, lies in the chemicals that are available and used in the process.

While some of the materials are stolen, Wilson said, most of it can be seen locally.

"You can go to the hardware store and buy (the materials) right off the shelf," he said.

When the fire department is called to investigate such a situation, they make sure to take the proper precautions, outfitting themselves in their fire gear.

Most of the time, Wilson explained, this is sufficient, as the clothing protects against fire; however, it is not resistant to chemicals they may be exposed to at the scene.

As a result, there are still inherent risks, he said. They manage them through wearing protective gear.

"You still try not to expose yourself to it," Wilson said. "The best way to control exposure is not to do it."

The worst case scenario for firefighters would be breathing these chemicals.

"Some (labs) might use Coleman lamp fluid," Wilson said. "That’s like playing with gasoline."

Using their positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus, firefighters are able to better protect themselves.

Wilson elaborated on a comment made by Philipp on individuals who manufacture methamphetamine.

"I just don’t understand why adults and kids – if they know how dangerous the chemical is – why they make it and use it," Wilson said. "They’re basically putting hazardous materials into their bodies."

Philipp explained that there are no significant outward signs that a meth lab is being operated.

"This is something that can be done in a small coffee pot," Philipp said. "It’s not blatantly obvious."

He went on to say that individuals called to the scene where it was taking place could definitely smell an odor, specifically in a fire situation, but probably not in an apartment building.

With such common household materials being used, Philipp said it’s hard to have complete control over the problem.

Officials are, however, taking steps to assure that it doesn’t evolve into anything more serious.

Philipp, along with the fire department and Mower County Sheriff Barry Simonson, is distributing posters and fliers to local grocery stores, elevators and other areas where individuals may obtain materials to manufacture the drug. They are urging store operators to be on the lookout for large quantities of the following items being purchased: common cold pills containing ephedrine or pseuoephedrine; acetone (found in nail polish remover); alcohol (isopropyl or rubbing); toluene; engine starter (ether); drain cleaner (sulfuric acid); coffee filters; Heet (containing methanol/alcohol); table salt; lithium batteries; propane tanks (containing anhydrous ammonia); Red Devil lye; matches (containing red phosphorus); Pyrex dishes and muriatic acid.

Other materials that also may be purchased are Mini Thin, Coleman fuel, rock salt, Iodine crystals, funnels or rubber tubing, sodium metal or aluminum foil.

If store owners or anyone notices an increase in these or similar products being purchased, law enforcement officials are urging them to contact authorities immediately.

If an individual were to come upon a meth lab operation on their own, Wilson urges them to take the following protective precautions until law enforcement officials arrive: minimize exposure (avoid further contact with the lab site); do not try to shut down the lab; evacuate the area immediately, bringing everyone upwind of the fumes; make sure others stay clear of the area; secure the area; call the proper authorities (ambulance, police, sheriff, fire department, etc.); provide first aid per training; remove materials that may slow down officials’ response; stay clear of areas of odor, discoloration and visible danger; do not smoke, or allow smoking, around the lab site; do not touch or smell any of the lab equipment or materials and observe from a distance.

Simonson said that there have been reports of problems elsewhere in the county, but he was unsure if they were more severe than in Austin.

"We’ve had a half-dozen reports of garbage remains in ditches," Simonson said. "A report on Wednesday stated that one was found east of town."

The contents included batteries, ephedrine, along with other materials used to make meth.

Simonson said that there have been arrests made in LeRoy, where most of the individuals were manufacturing it for their own use.

Most of the reports are mainly for garbage left behind, signaling to Simonson that there is a problem.

"With the amount of (cold) capsules being found, somebody is manufacturing it," he said, "whether it’s for their own personal use or they’re selling it."

Philipp explained that most of these individuals, who are charged with a felony, receive some jail time.

"Any past record, as well as whether the drug was for personal use or sale, determines their jail time," he said.