That tank of anhydrous ammonia, a nitrogen fertilizer, sitting out in an open field is an inviting target for thieves who want it to make illegal methamphetamines.
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That tank of anhydrous ammonia, a nitrogen fertilizer, sitting out in an open field is an inviting target for thieves who want it to make illegal methamphetamines.
?Missouri continues to rank as one of the top states in the number of producers of methamphetamines,? said Glenn Jirka, hazardous material specialist with the Fire and Rescue Training Institute at the University of Missouri.
Missouri law enforcement officers put more than 2,100 meth labs out of business in 2001, according the Missouri Highway Patrol.
Anhydrous ammonia is the only ingredient that the meth cooks cannot buy in a grocery store.
?Illegal drug manufacturers can damage tanks, cause dangerous release of contents or steal entire tanks to get this material for their cooking operations,? Jirka said.
Farmers should not move or use tanks that have been tampered with, he said. A damaged valve could cause a large release. At minus 28 degrees F, anhydrous ammonia can cause severe skin burns, lung damage and blindness.
He suggests that farmers keep tanks hidden from view and report suspicious activity to law enforcement officers.
?In Missouri we have a lot of small mom-and-pop operations,? Jirka said. ?These are people who make the meth in places like motel rooms or their basements, which is dangerous to themselves and to emergency responders due to the risk of volatility involved in the cooking or production process.?
Since 1989 the MU Fire and Rescue Training Institute has taught a class in responding to emergencies that might involve meth labs. In 2001 the Institute conducted 55 classes with more than 1,000 students, mostly firefighters and police, across the state.
?We teach how to recognize an illegal drug facility in responding to a fire or medical emergency. We also teach emergency personnel on how to protect themselves and victims. And we demonstrate how to safely clean up hazardous materials after the emergency,? he said.
The course, developed with funding from a federal grant, has been adopted by several other states.
In the most popular theft method, thieves use a hose to force-fill a 20-pound propane tank from the anhydrous ?nurse? or storage, tank, he said.
?This is very dangerous,? Jirka warns. ?If they overfill the propane tank, the relief valve cannot handle the expanding force of the ammonia, which is greater than for propane. Also, propane tanks have brass fittings that are not made to handle ammonia.?=20
The meth problem also extends to commercial distribution sites where large quantities of anhydrous ammonia are stored, he said. Distributors fear valve damage could result in large releases.