The toxic chemical mercury chloride has been detected in a white powder presumed to be MDMA in the Wellington region. Photo: Supplied / High Alert
A toxic chemical that can cause kidney failure and death has been detected in white powder, presumed to be MDMA, in the Wellington region.
A warning posted by High Alert on Friday said the chemical, mercury chloride, was "very toxic to humans" and should not be consumed.
It was believed to be circulating in Wellington and could possibly be present in other regions, the group said.
The white powder had been brought into a drug-checking clinic run by the Needle Exchange Programme.
Testing found the sample to contain mercury chloride and no MDMA.
Snorting the substance would cause "significant nasal injury", while inhaling it could cause lung injury and respiratory problems, High Alert said.
Symptoms of mercury chloride consumption included:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Profound nausea/vomiting/diarrhoea, which may be bloody
- A burning sensation where exposed to the substance
- Kidney failure, developing six-96 hours post-exposure
- Death
"The concern is people may already have this substance believing it to be MDMA, or that this substance may continue to be supplied as MDMA," High Alert said.
"It is important to never assume that what you have is what you are being told it is. Misrepresentation can occur anywhere along the supply chain."
The group strongly urged people not to take any unknown white powders that were presumed to be MDMA.
Confidential drug-checking services could identify any unknown drugs.
Anyone who took a substance presumed to be MDMA and started to experience "unusual" effects should call 111, High Alert said.
"Be honest about your drug use. You won't get in trouble and it could save your life."
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