US Scientists Uncover High Levels of Industrial Compound in Fentanyl
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Synopsis
On February 9, a team from UCLA revealed alarming findings that fentanyl is contaminated with high levels of an industrial chemical called BTMPS, which poses serious health risks. This discovery raises urgent questions about drug safety and the potential impacts on public health.
Key Takeaways
- BTMPS found in fentanyl raises safety alarms.
- Study conducted by researchers at UCLA.
- Average of 7 times more BTMPS than fentanyl detected.
- Not approved for human consumption.
- Potential serious health effects include cardiotoxicity.
New York, Feb 9 (NationPress) A group of researchers from the United States has identified that substances marketed as fentanyl are laced with significant levels of an industrial compound that poses potential risks to human health.
The newly discovered chemical, known as BTMPS, has appeared in the illegal drug market almost simultaneously across various locations in the US, as reported by scientists from the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) in a study published in the peer-reviewed journal JAMA.
Between June and October 2024, the research team conducted quantitative analyses of fentanyl samples, revealing alarming concentrations of this chemical, which is categorized as a hindered amine light stabilizer and is commonly utilized in sealants, adhesives, and plastic additives.
According to Chelsea Shover, an assistant professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, “The rapid emergence of BTMPS in the drug supply is unprecedented compared to prior shifts, and the widespread detection across different areas suggests it is likely being introduced at elevated levels in the supply chain.”
This finding raises significant concerns since BTMPS is not sanctioned for human consumption. Animal research has indicated severe health repercussions, including cardiotoxicity, ocular damage, and even sudden death at certain dosages.
In their testing of drug products where the team successfully quantified various components by mass, samples exhibited an average of 7 times more BTMPS than fentanyl, with some instances showing that BTMPS constituted over 50% of substances sold as “fentanyl.”
Notably, BTMPS is not classified as a controlled substance, and despite its effects observed in rat studies on nicotinic receptors, it has not been widely recognized as a “drug.”
The motivations behind its incorporation into fentanyl remain uncertain, and standard testing techniques like postmortem toxicology, criminal investigations, or clinical examinations are unlikely to identify it.
The implications for human health are still unclear, leading to growing concerns among the researchers.
