The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) learned of a recent incident in which police attempted to serve a search warrant at a local residence.
When peering inside the home, the officers saw a methamphetamine lab with 16 large gas cylinders. Even worse was their observation of a probable explosive device. After the arrival of the fire department, emergency medical technicians, and hazmat, the makeshift electrical and alarm systems were dismantled.
The cylinders containing anhydrous ammonia gas were determined to be too dangerous to transport and were destroyed at the scene.
EMR-ISAC suggests that emergency personnel be taught to enforce the following prohibitions when dealing with any illicit labs (regardless of location) containing any type of chemicals: DO NOT taste, touch, smell, pour, jiggle, smoke, operate light switches, plug or unplug anything electrical, rub eyes or nose or mouth, forget about booby traps, remain longer than absolutely necessary, or hesitate to call the hazmat team.
More information about responder safety and heeding the warning signs of chemical manufacture can be seen at the following link: http://www.respondersafety-digital.com/respondersafety/200709/?pg=3