A warning has been issued over an illegal drug used by bodybuilders and slimmers amid a spate of deaths.
Pills containing the deadly DNP substance have become popular amid an explosion of sales on the dark web in recent years.
In recent court hearings and inquests involving DNP, experts have likened using it to ‘Russian Roulette’ – because it can either trigger weight loss or kill.
A 31-year-old businessman, from east London, was the first person to be convicted of manslaughter in relation to the sale of DNP pills in June.
Bernard Rebelo became a millionaire through selling the capsules. But he was jailed for seven years after selling them to a bulimic student, who later died.
Professor Simon Thomas, director of Public Health England’s poisons unit, yesterday declared that no amount of the toxic chemical DNP is safe.
In a post on PHE’s website, Professor Thomas said: ‘There is a myth that if used in small amounts, users will be safe. This is not the case.’
‘Severe and even fatal adverse effects have occurred when the drug has been taken in the doses recommended on websites or by suppliers.’

Bernard Rebelo has been jailed for selling toxic ‘slimming pills’ over the internet, which killed bulimic student Eloise Parry

Ms Parry took diet pills like these ones before her death. Low dosages burn fat – but the slightest overdose can destroy the cells of the body’s vital organs, including the heart
Deaths from taking the drug have risen this year, with five fatalities having been confirmed already – compared to just three in 2017.
DNP, known scientifically as 2,4-Dinitrophenol, is an industrial chemical, commonly used in pesticides and munitions.
Adverts online have hailed it as a ‘wonder slimming aid’, even though UK laws state it is an offence to sell it for human consumption.
Despite being illegal and deemed ‘unfit for human consumption’, dieting pills containing the substance can be bought online.
It has become popular among those wanting to lose weight rapidly in recent years, such as bodybuilders.
Several deaths have involved people in the bodybuilding world or those trying to lose weight by taking pills containing DNP.
Professor Thomas urged those trying to lose weight to overhaul their diet and to exercise more – and steer clear of the deadly pills.
The drug prevents energy being stored as fat – instead the energy is released as heat.
This increases body temperature, which can damage the cells of organs such as muscle, kidney and even the brain.
The result can be seizures, coma, kidney failure, muscle damage and bone marrow failure.
Once these effects have started to develop, they are very difficult to treat and in some cases, death is inevitable.
Ian Hamilton, drug researcher at York University, said the drugs are ‘easy to access’ and called for more warnings over their use.
He told MailOnline: ‘What is really worrying is that they seem to be appealing to male bodybuilders and women who are trying to lose weight.
‘Both groups seem to think that using these pills is without risk but these latest figures on deaths due to DNP suggest otherwise.’