Detection of one pot methamphetamine laboratory byproducts in wastewater via solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

The One Pot method has become the primary method of methamphetamine production in clandestine drug laboratories across the United States, due to its simple procedure and the availability of required materials. Despite its simplicity, One Pot reactions are highly flammable and, barring an explosion or fire incident, they may not be discovered for an extended period of time. While reactive investigations remove clandestine laboratories from communities, proactive efforts would identify One Pot methamphetamine laboratories before extensive harm is brought to people and the environment. This study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of One Pot methamphetamine laboratory detection through wastewater monitoring. Methamphetamine was produced via the One Pot method and the powdered methamphetamine was filtered out of each reaction. In collaboration with local authorities, the resulting waste materials generated during the One Pot methamphetamine reactions were deposited into a semi-isolated stretch of a municipal wastewater system. Wastewater samples were collected post-deposit, extracted via solid phase extraction and analyzed using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Methamphetamine, pseudoephedrine, and ephedrine were all detectable in the wastewater, as well as an over-reduced methamphetamine byproduct known as CMP [1-(1′,4′-cyclohexadienyl)-2-methyl-aminopropane]. This research identified and demonstrated the potential for analyzing wastewater to detect clandestine One Pot methamphetamine laboratories within communities.