Dr Susan Turnbull has issued the warning to GPs and clinical staff at the Hospital as well as to the Island’s Alcohol and Drug Service following advice from Public Health England about the chemical dinitrophenol (DNP).
- Student Eloise Aimee Parry, 21 died in April after taking eight tablets of DNP
- A man I n France was left seriously ill after taking the drug
- Australian authorities are studying it DNP and its effects after a victim suffered a dangerous seizure
- Rugby player Chris Mapletoft (18) died in 2013 after taking the drug
- 28-year old High Wycombe bodybuilder Sean Cleathero died in in 2012
- In 2013, Leeds University medical student Sarah Houston (23) died after taking DNP [/breakout]
Although it has been ruled unfit for human consumption and is illegal for use in foodstuffs, products containing DNP can still be purchased and may be used by people trying to alter their appearance, such as body builders and those trying to lose weight.
Dr Turnbull said: ‘There has been a sharp rise in reported episodes of severe toxicity in England, with 30 cases so far this year compared with nine for the whole of 2014.
‘The majority of those affected have been teenagers and young adults.
‘Five of this year’s cases have been fatal, and given our links with the UK, it is prudent that we warn people in Jersey about DNP.’
DNP is used primarily as an antiseptic and pesticide, but is also used in explosives and in developing photographs.
‘It aids weight loss, as it increases metabolic activity.
Those who ingest the poison may suffer from fever, vomiting, headaches, rapid respiration and rapid or irregular heartbeats.
‘In severe cases the user can be left in a coma and can die.
The consumption of lower amounts of DNP over longer periods may lead to cataracts and skin lesions and affect the heart, blood and nervous system.
Stewart Petrie, head of Environmental Health, said: ‘We are not aware of any retailer in Jersey offering products containing DNP for sale, but we would take immediate action if this was the case.
‘We do know that it’s available online, which makes it important Islanders are aware of the risks.’
