KING COUNTY, WA - In advance of next week's Washington State Methamphetamine Summit in King County, Public Health - Seattle & King County today unveiled its new Meth Lab Cleanup webpages.

These pages offer information about the health dangers that methamphetamine (meth) labs can pose to a community, and provide an opportunity for King County residents to get updates on the status of meth lab cleanups in their neighborhood.

The new Public Health Meth Lab Cleanup webpages can be found at www.metrokc.gov/health/methlabs

"We want to empower people and communities to take an active role in maintaining and improving the health of their neighborhoods," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "This website reflects our continued efforts to provide King County residents with the useful, accurate, and up-to-date information they need about their communities."

"A critical part in having healthy families and healthy communities is maintaining a healthy environment where people work, live, and play," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "From posting clear warnings for the public about contaminated sites to overseeing decontamination and determining when a structure can be safely occupied, Public Health plays an important role in addressing this significant community concern."

At the Meth Lab Cleanup webpages people can:

• Learn about the health risks associated with meth labs
• Get more information on Public Health's role in cleaning up contaminated sites
• Follow a flow chart that shows the steps Public Health takes in addressing a potentially-contaminated meth lab site
• Inquire on the status of a meth lab cleanup in King County

Please note that illegal meth lab activity should be reported by dialing 9-1-1. The inquiry form on the Public Health Meth Lab Clean-up webpages is for questions related to cleanup sites within King County that have already been addressed by law enforcement and referred to Public Health.

For more information on the Washington State Methamphetamine Summit on August 6-7, visit the King County Sheriff's website at www.metrokc.gov/sheriff/080201nr.htm