Restoration logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Restoration logo
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products & Technologies
    • Submit Your Product
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
  • EDUCATION
    • KnowHow.
    • Podcasts
    • Trade Shows & Expos
    • Training & Certification
    • Webinars
    • Whitepapers
  • TOPICS
    • Water Damage
    • Fire & Smoke Damage
    • Mold
    • Contamination
    • Odor
    • Contents
    • Architecture
    • Catastrophe
    • Cleaning
  • BUSINESS
    • Managing Your Business
    • Insurance/Legal Matters
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • VIDEOS
    • Ask Annissa
    • Ask the Expert
    • Ironclad Marketing Minute
    • TradeTalks
    • Video Channel
  • INFOCENTER
    • Mold and Mycotoxins
  • THE EXPERIENCE
    • Convention & Trade Show
    • R&R Special Issue
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP
Contamination Restoration & Remediation​Restoration Training/Education

Increasing Dangers of Illicit Fentanyl Labs in the U.S.

By Raymond Magno
fentanyl labs
September 20, 2017

As far as the general public was concerned, most people had never heard of the drug fentanyl until iconic musician Prince died in 2016. The comprehensive autopsy performed on Prince revealed that he died from a fentanyl overdose. When the circumstances surrounding Prince's death began making headlines, a majority of people in the general public learned about fentanyl for the first time.

Prince is not the only famous individual who has overdosed on fentanyl. Although not all celebrities have met their ultimate demise with this drug, many have caused themselves significant harm in abusing it or using it illegally.

The reality is that illegal fentanyl use is a major problem in the United States, and around the world. Because of the demand for fentanyl, illicit fentanyl labs are springing up around the country. These labs are proving to be highly dangerous, both while in use and after they are abandoned.

What is Fentanyl?

The National Institute on Drug Abuse defines fentanyl as being a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic. The drug is similar to morphine and is in the same drug family as heroin. However, fentanyl is up to 100-times more potent than morphine. Fentanyl is upwards to 40-times more powerful than heroin.

Fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II prescription medication. The drug is intended to be used to manage severe pain and is most often appropriately utilized following surgery. In some limited situations, fentanyl is utilized to assist individuals with chronic pain after these individuals have become physically tolerant to other types of opioids.

Medical experts maintain that fentanyl is being over-prescribed at this juncture in time. They maintain that this powerful substance should only be utilized to address pain associated with end of life. Rather, it is being prescribed far more broadly in this day and age.

Illegal Use of Fentanyl

In addition to the prescribed use of the drug, the illegal use of fentanyl has been on the increase in the past several years. The in increase in the number of people using fentanyl illegally is not expected to abate. In fact, health and law enforcement agencies are united in their concern that the illicit use of fentanyl across the United States will continue apace into the future.

The United States Drug Enforcement Agency reports that it is uncovering a record number of illicit fentanyl labs across the United States. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that fentanyl abuse and overdoses have reached epidemic proportions.

The agency cites New Hampshire as an example of the fentanyl epidemic in the United States. Heroin killed 32 people in that state in 2015, the last year a full set of statistics are available. On the other hand, fentanyl killed 158 people in New Hampshire during that same time period. Similar trends are developing in dozens of locations across the United States.

Legally, fentanyl is available by prescription and is sold under product names that include Actiq®, Duragesic®, and Sublimaze®. On the street, fentanyl is known as Apache, China Girl, China White, and Dance Fever. It is also known as Friend, Goodfella, Jackpot, Murder 8, TNT, as well as Tango and Cash.

Illicit Manufacturing of Fentanyl

Illegal fentanyl labs are cropping up all across the United States. Some parts of the country are facing high concentrations of these illicit and dangerous operations.

Illegal fentanyl labs are likely to become more commonplace. As mentioned previously, the demand on the street for illegally manufactured and sold fentanyl is increasing apace.

Property Contamination from an Illegal Fentanyl Lab

When a fentanyl lab has operated in a property, the aftereffects are dangerous. Indeed, depending on the circumstances, the remnants left behind in the wake of an illegal fentanyl manufacturing lab can prove fatal.

If the existence of a fentanyl lab is suspected, a property owner or tenant should seek professional assistance promptly. In addition, a person in this position should also contact law enforcement.

A professional hazardous material restoration and remediation professional should be contacted if the remnants of a fentanyl lab are discovered. This step should be taken promptly.

Someone untrained in remediating the aftereffects of an illegal fentanyl lab should never try to "clean up" the situation on his or her own. There are two key reasons why a person should not attempt to remedy the aftereffects of a fentanyl lab.

  1. Someone without proper training for this type of remediation exposes his or her self to great risk. A person without training and experience in remediating a fentanyl lab can actually jeopardize his or her health, and even life.
  2. A person who lacks the experience to thoroughly remediate a former fentanyl lab. As a result, even though an individual without experience may make a valiant effort to cleanup the site, he or she is not likely to appropriately eliminate the danger.
KEYWORDS: drug lab cleanup fentanyl forensic restoration indoor air quality

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

I’m just a blue-collar family man operating a bio-hazard cleaning business. I grew up in a farming community in Maine, worked as a radioman in the Coast Guard and then as commercial salmon fisherman in Alaska before falling in love with my wife. We got married, moved to Los Angeles, and had a baby boy. Along the way I found my passion where I never intended to look, and success was waiting for me to open the door. --Raymond Magno

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • mold remediation

    Fighting Mold and Bacteria Damage

    Successful mold remediation can be multidisciplinary,...
    Mold Remediation
    By: Josh Woolen
  • certifications and licenses for restoration professionals

    Certifications and Licenses Every Restoration Company Needs

    Restoration companies need to make sure they have the...
    Restoration Training/Education
    By: Sharon Elzarat
  • a wall covered in moss and fungus

    Zero Tolerance for Toxic Molds: Essential Steps for Successful Remediation

    Understanding the importance of zero tolerance for toxic...
    Mold Remediation
    By: Michael A. Pinto CSP, SMS, CMP, RTPE, FLS, ERS and Kendra Seymour
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Popular Stories

water on basement floor

How Much Water Causes Water Damage?

hurricane

To CAT or not to CAT? Who Should Stay Home

Measuring business skillsets

Overlooking the Basics: Why New Restoration Businesses Are Failing Prematurely

Submit Your New Product/Technology to R&R!

Would you like to promote a new restoration, remediation or cleaning product/technology with Restoration & Remediation? Fill out the question below to start your submission:

Events

September 3, 2025

The Experience Convention and Trade Show

The Experience Convention & Trade Show logoJoin us in Las Vegas for The Experience Convention & Trade Show, the leading event for cleaning, restoration, and remediation pros, packed with hands-on demos, expert speakers, and high-impact networking. Happening September 3–5, 2025 at Caesars Forum—this is where the industry comes to learn, connect, and grow!

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Doffing PPE

When you are doffing your PPE, do you sanitize between every step?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary.

See More Products
Prepare for CATASTROPHE with R&R!

Related Articles

  • Fentanyl: The Next Trend in Illicit Drug Lab Cleanup

    Fentanyl: The Next Trend in Illicit Drug Lab Cleanup

    See More
  • fentanyl lab cleanup

    Fentanyl Labs: A New, Potentially Dangerous Frontier for Remediators

    See More
  • Industry News

    J.S. Held Expands Construction Advisory Services Practice in the Northeastern U.S. with the Acquisition of Perry Associates

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • secrets-of-insurance-game.jpg

    Secrets of the Insurance Game

  • M:\General Shared\__AEC Store Katie Z\AEC Store\Images\r&r\new site\waterinbuildings.gif

    Water in Buildings: An Architect's Guide to Moisture and Mold

  • COVER pdf.jpg

    How to Get More Restoration Jobs in 14 Days... (ebook)

See More Products
×

Stay ahead of the curve with our eNewsletters.

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Submit a Press Release
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Reprints
    • Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing