Talk:Rolling meth lab

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A fact from Rolling meth lab appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page in the Did you know column on 18 February 2009, and was viewed approximately 6,800 times (disclaimer) (check views). The text of the entry was as follows:

Did you know... that rolling meth labs used for the illegal production of methamphetamine have been known to explode, endangering motorists and police officers?

A record of the entry may be seen at Wikipedia:Recent additions/2009/February.

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Poor descriptions[edit]

This article simply describes the chemicals as poisonous and dangerous, but it doesn't specifically say what chemicals are dangerous. So is water extremely dangerous and poisonous? As far as I know water is used in meth production. Sincerely and truly yours, C6541 (T↔C) at 20:12, 20 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I second this, using the word "toxic" is a very poor choice unless you have toxicology findings to back it up.

Sensationalist[edit]

"Rolling meth labs are often readily moved to a secluded location to be unpacked to synthesize the drug, such as in a public park"

This seems to be jumping to sensationalism, whilst I'm sure it's possible to set up in a public park, this screams attention grabbing tabloid-ism to me. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.149.158.192 (talk) 01:22, 11 October 2009 (UTC)[reply]

"If the bottle turns on its side and certain ingredients combine with each other, an explosion can occur.[9] This is because when the organic solvent is exposed to lithium and water in the presence of oxygen when the bottle tips, and the lithium reaction cause the combustion.[10]" It's not at all uncommon to literally shake the bottle so that all ingredients contact all other ingredients. Under practical conditions there's not enough oxygen in the bottle to burn enough of the solvent that the bottle will rupture. Explosions happen when lithium, heated by the reaction with water, melts through the bottle and ignites the solvent in the presence of outside air. Creating even these conditions requires that cook use a reckless quantity of water and a wasteful quantity of lithium. The risk of explosion, while real and especially relevant for inexperienced and/or misinformed cooks, is sensationally overstated. This does nothing to engender an understanding of the reaction which might reduce harm among those attempting it. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.67.172.166 (talk) 23:33, 23 August 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Poor syntax and grammar[edit]

Some of the syntax and grammar is very poor, making parts of the article difficult to understand, such as the following sentence: "This is because when the organic solvent is exposed to lithium and water in the presence of oxygen when the bottle tips, and the lithium reaction cause the combustion." This is not a coherent sentence, the meaning is unclear.

Globalize tag or a US phenomenon?[edit]

I added the Globalize tag because the article is not clear about if this is a global phenomenon or confined to the United States. Also, there appear to be two or more separate sorts of "labs" being alluded to. One is a self-contained "lab" being set up in a vehicle and being able to manufacture meth in the vehicle either while parked or perhaps while in motion. Another would seem to be a mobile "lab" setup that is small enough to fit in, or on, a vehicle and be moved around between locations with minimal setup or breakdown time, so able to use temporary accommodation and move on quickly. The examples given are from the United States but the article does not indicate if this is the only country where these labs are found or the prevalence of these labs in the community and around the world. At the moment, there is one cited example and a couple of scenarios from popular culture, so I am left wondering is this article more based on Law Enforcement's risk management fears and some Hollywood scriptwriters' speculation rather than reality. Some statistics or similar research that articulates the issued and quantifies the problem and risks posed in various countries around the world would be good, too. - Cameron Dewe (talk) 23:13, 31 May 2021 (UTC)[reply]