An industrial chemical used in plastic products is rapidly showing up in the illicit drug supply, and researchers call it “unprecedented and concerning.” A recent study by multiple academic institutions, including UCLA and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), tested about 180 samples sold as fentanyl between June 1 and August 31, 2024. The findings revealed that nearly 25% of the samples contained BTMPS, a chemical typically used in plastics for UV protection, plus an adhesive and sealant. Alarmingly, the prevalence of BTMPS in the samples surged from 0% in June to over one-third by August.
“The introduction of an industrial chemical to the illicit drug supply at this speed and scale is unprecedented and concerning. Further research is urgently needed to determine why it is present in the fentanyl supply and characterize effects on human health,” the report reads.
Although the specific health risks of smoking or injecting BTMPS are not fully understood, animal studies suggest that the chemical could pose severe health risks or even be deadly. Researchers remain unsure why drug manufacturers are incorporating BTMPS into the drug supply, as it does not appear to have psychoactive effects. One theory is that it might help stabilize fentanyl or its precursors from degradation by light or heat.
Whatever the reason, with the high percentage of BTMPS detected, researchers say that the “addition may be happening at a high level in the supply chain.”
While the study has yet to be peer-reviewed, the findings were publicly released as a preprint on the website, “Drug Checking Los Angeles.”
