ATLANTA, GA — DEA agents know to protect their skin, eyes, and lungs when tackling meth labs filled with toxins.

One undercover agent told WSB’s Veronica Waters, “There are splash hazards. There is all this kind of stuff we have to worry about. That’s why we seal up completely, to make sure we don’t get anything on us.”

DEA Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Rob Murphy says even with extensive training and equipment, the job is hard on the body.

The health of the liver is crucial. Murphy admits it’s a high turnover rate after those annual physicals. Many agents move into different areas of the agency at that point.

Murphy says at a Cobb County bust this fall, the smell coming from the meth lab in a house was so strong, agents knew what they were walking toward long before getting to the door.

One CDC study found that half of all injuries at Clandestine Labs were to first responders.