What does a meth lab smell like?

Question

starting this afternoon, my roomate and I noticed a weird smell coming from outside, there isn't anyone in the neighborhood getting a new roof, and there aren't any roads being paved, but there is a strong smell like that in the air. I've never smelled meth before, and I was just wondering if that could be what we're smelling.

Answer 1

i hope your not smelling it ....it is corrosive and toxic and sooo bad for you ....you may smell sweet, bitter, ammonia or solvent smells.

various chemicals in meth
Acetone Alcohol (isopropyl or rubbing)
Anhydrous ammonia and ammonium sulfate (fertilizer) Battery acid (sulfuric acid)
Bleach Coleman fuel
Drain cleaner (sulfuric acid or caustic soda) Drain openers such as Red Devil lye
Heet and Iso-Heet, gasoline additives (methanol/alcohol) Hydrogen peroxide
Iodine (both crystal and liquid) Lithium batteries
Matches (red phosphorous) Mineral Spirits
Muriatic acid Over the counter cold pills containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine
Salt (table or rock) Sodium and Lithium metal
Starting Fluid (organic ether) Toluene
Trichloroethane (gun cleaning solvent)

IF YOU SUSPECT A METH LAB:
Leave the site at once and report it
Do not open any coolers, container or boxes
Do not touch any items
Don't shut off any electrical supplies
Limit time inside scene
Handling meth chemicals and/or meth lab waste residue can burn your skin and eyes. Breathing the gases can cause respiratory damage
Try not to alert the suspects of your suspicions

Answer 2

Meth Lab Smell

Answer 3

Possible it is a skunk making its rounds and blasting under your window. Skunk odor when smelled up close can smell like burning tires. It can be so bad that you can wake up from a sound sleep gasping for air thinking someone is burning a tire. The only other smell that is like that is some types of marijuana can smell like skunk, but it is a milder skunk smell.

Meth labs can smell like fingernail polish remover (acetone) or ether or anhydrous ammonia.

Answer 4

I hope I never know what a meth lab smells like. If it continues I suggest you contact law enforcement about it. I don't want a meth lab in my neighborhood either.

Answer 5

I'm not sure what it smells like, but the fumes will make you feel ill. One of the buildings in our condo complex was evacuated b/c there was a meth lab and the neighbors got sick. Big risk of explosion - I'd call the cops or something if that's what you suspect!

Answer 6

If you smell something funny call the police or fire department and have them come to your area. It could also be a gas leak. I don't know what the labs smell like and if you think that is going on someone needs to know.

Answer 7

It could be a car leaking oil (that smells like tar) But Meth is said to smell mostly like ammonia or ether. Its a "chemically" smell. (I have never actually smelled meth myself but my uncle's a police officer and he was called on a bust and he said it smelled something like that.)

Answer 8

Call the Cops and Fire Department ASAP because if someone is cooking Meth, your whole block could go up in a matter of minutes.

Answer 9

Lets see. It can smell like amonia it can smell like ether(starting fluid) it can smell like lithium. Look around your area for any jars, hoses or tanks like propane tanks or air tanks both of wich can hold anahydrous and keep an eye out for coffee filters and round ice coolers.

Answer 10

It just smells like stinky chemicals. I would call the police and let them know what you are smelling and they will check it out.