Investigating the Source of Contamination Opioid into Lead in Forensic Medicine

Abstract

Background: Impurities in narcotics are one of the factors that cause or exacerbate the symptoms of acute and chronic poisoning. Heavy metals as one of the impurities found in the opioids can cause toxicity to consumers. Opioids contamination and its complications are a social health problem in Middle Eastern countries such as Iran. Lead smugglers add more benefits during the drug production process in order to increase their weight.

A Comparison of Blood Indices in Orally and Inhaled Opium Addicts with Non-addict Healthy Control

“…Moreover, one of the uncommon causes of lead (Pb) poisoning is Pbadulterated substance abuse, such as opium, marijuana, Iranian crack, ecstasy, and methamphetamine (3). It has been suggested that Pb is added to make the substance heavier (4). It was shown that the highest Pb level was detected in opium samples then heroin and Iranian crack samples were ranked next, respectively.…”