Coroner’s weight-loss-chemical alert after young man’s death

A WARNING about an industrial chemical known as DNP has been issued following the death of a young man in Swansea.

Coroner Colin Phillips said DNP could help people lose weight, but that it was illegal and should be avoided at all costs.

“It is effective but is banned as it is highly toxic,” he said.

Mr Phillips, acting senior coroner for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, reached a drug-related death conclusion in the inquest of 24-year-old Liam Willis yesterday.

Mr Willis, of Alltwen, died while staying at the Premier Inn, Swansea Enterprise Park, on July 16 this year.

Fat-burning substance DNP — or 2,4-dinitrophenol — was found in his system. Fours years ago Swansea University student Courtney Mitchell Lewis died after taking an overdose of diet pills which contained DNP.

On that occasion, Mr Phillips recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.

Mr Phillips said DNP could be lethal, but that it could be bought over the internet. “It is advertised as not for human consumption, but it is widely available,” said the coroner.

“This is the second unintentional death in Swansea from consumption of this dangerous chemical.

“There is no known antidote to reverse its effects. There have been a number of deaths”

Mr Phillips said he was concerned that people with body image issues could be drawn to buying diet pills online that might contain DNP.

Signs of acute DNP poisoning include nausea, vomiting, restlessness, flushed skin, sweating, dizziness, headaches, rapid respiration and irregular heartbeat.

DNP should never be sold as fit for human consumption.