ATLANTA - Chemicals used to make methamphetamine caused fumes, fires and explosions that injured dozens of police and emergency workers dispatched to illegal drug labs in the late 1990s, the government said Thursday.

Health departments in 14 states reported 79 police officers, firefighters and medical technicians were injured between 1996 and 1999, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

"With these meth labs, essentially each one is like a mini toxic waste site," said Kevin Horton, a CDC epidemiologist. "These people manufacturing the labs, they're not the most educated in terms of what these chemicals can do. Before you know it, there's a fire or explosion."

Methamphetamine, a synthetic stimulant that can be smoked, snorted, injected or taken in pill form, has spread across the United States.

Authorities busted 2,155 meth labs last year, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

In Iowa, three police officers required treatment after breathing anhydrous ammonia during a raid.

A firefighter in Oregon suffered chemical burns from hydrochloric acid during a lab fire.

Three hospital workers in Washington state became ill while treating a suspect splattered with chemicals.

Horton urged increased awareness and hazardous materials training for emergency workers.

 

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