Meth lab: Smell
November 2, 2008 by Meth Lab Homes · 11 Comments
What does a meth lab smell like?
Smells like a hospital due to the common use of ethyl ether as an anesthetic. Nasal irritant. Ether-like: Aromatic, sweet odor often accompanied by a sweet taste.
Smells like paint thinners, paint removers, adhesives, and cleaning fluids. Type of odor often found in auto body shops or furniture refinishing shops. Eye and nasal irritant.
Smells like odor found in vinegar, mayonnaise, salad dressings or pickled food. Pungent, acrid, or sour smell. Eye irritant.
Smells like wet diapers, glass cleaners, cattle feed-lots, or fertilizers. A sharp, irritating odor. Eye and nasal irritant.
Note: Meth lab homes that have been allowed to air out for some time may not have any detectable odors. The absence of odor in a home does not mean the home is not contaminated.
Source: N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance Program (HSEES)
Unusual, strong odors (like cat urine, ether, ammonia, acetone or other chemicals).
Source: W.V. Department of Health and Human Services
If your smelling a fireplace burning and the temperature outside is 85 degrees,that,s probably not a fireplace !
Terry,
My family & I have been in this rental home for over three years now. I know the owner’s son who used to live here is a meth addict. I had three cats die within 4 months of moving in here. My new cat is has asthma. I have had breathing problems since days after moving in; my husband has asthma now.
The other day I was in one of the rooms of the house and smelled something like fireplace in several areas of the room. It was a 90 degree day and the fireplace had been meticulously cleaned months ago. Can you explain what you mean about the fireplace smell.
Thanks,
J
LEAVE THAT HOUSE NOW.
One Meth Lab can blow up an entire city block if it explodes ! So ignoring the smells is not a good idea. Call the police.
I am stuck in a apt. whatever they are doing/brewing is toxic!!! The meth smell docs. I have googled match what I have been going through since May 2009. I have tried the police, they did not show, I have called meth lines etc. etc. can’t find a way to handle this.
I have witnesses, nothing; “you have to see them doing it.” WHAT? I have done everything you can name…..nothing! I love my apt. It has been sold twice and we are on the 7th manager (in six years.) The police are so helpful, “why don’t I move?” Why are the victims victimized twice?
Maybe I haven’t moved because I thought I could get “THEM” I can’t just beam up! What can I do to save my home?
Devastated in Spokane
Lynn,
If I wasn’t getting any response to my phone calls, I’d go to the police station and talk to them in person about the situation. As you are probably aware, meth labs can and do explode without any warning before they do. Additionally, the fumes are also putting the health of others in danger, as well.
Something else you could do: When you smell the fumes, call the police and ask them if they can send someone over to “smell” the air. Tell them that you smell meth lab fumes.
If there is an active meth cook in process, they can legally enter that residence because it presents “exigent circumstances”. Basically, exigent circumstances will allow the police to enter a property without a search warrant, because they have reason to believe that there is an immediate danger present. Otherwise, police need to have a search warrant, before they can enter a home without permission. In order to get that search warrant, they would need to have sufficient evidence that your neighbors are running a meth lab.
Good luck!
The best way to describe the smell is like plastic model cement, but more pungent, stronger.
Thanks Dean….appreciate your input.
Yes agreed. You should advise police, and for heaven’s sake leave that place. Drugs wreck lives in many more ways than one.
As I was walking my dog this afternoon i smelled a rotten egg/chemical smell. I know what this smell is, and it isnt natural gas. I immediatly contacted the police as my town has a unsatisfiable hunger for meth. Only a single fire truck showed up, asked me where the smell was and simply left. I can tell that this individual house is a squat house. It is abandonded, and still I see people in and out all hours of the day. I have reason to believe they are actually protected by the police. After I told them my location they ceased the emergency protocol and hung up. Now I know how gang warfare works. But I never thought in this small town.
Meth lab homes,
Thank you!! I was not aware that: “exigent circumstances”. Basically, exigent circumstances will allow the police to enter a property They the police did not advise me of this! “Unfortunately we can’t go in you have to see them.” unquote.
Too bad I don’t have a xray camera or vision! We will try exigent circumstances. If I don’t it is no,if I do, it probabably is no but it could be yes!