The organic compound 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) is a crystalline solid with the molecular formula C6H4N2O5. The molecule is soluble in water to some extent and is fully soluble in sodium and potassium hydroxide solutions. The compound can also be explosive. It is usually used in dye, weed killers, wood preserver, photographic development among other things and it has even been used as a weight loss agent. In fact, it has been claimed to be the king of the weight loss agents back in the 30s but even to this day.
Back in 2003 the UK Food Standard Agency to come out with a warning, specially directed to bodybuilders, commenting that DNP is still not safe for human consumption.
Despite of that, the number of deaths …show more content…
To find information about DNP is easy but there is a lot of disagreement between the different references. Some sources claim that it is too dangerous for human consumption and other sources saying that when used the right way it is still the best weight loss agent there is.
With this article we want to find out what Dinitrophenol is and how it has been used over the years. Moreover, we will talk about its effects, both positive and negative, although more research is needed to confirm the effects. In addition, we also want to discuss if
Dinitrophenol is a good treatment for obesity and correspondingly respond the question of why it became illegal for this use. We are also going to describe how Dinitrophenol is involved in the world of bodybuilding.
History
During the World War I the French used DNP in the production of munition due to its explosive behavior when heated up. The workers at the factories experienced health issues and weight loss as a result of working with DNP and there were also some deaths related to DNP. With improvements in the factories, like better ventilation and hygiene, the problems diminished.
LENA SIQVELAND, ENRIC AYMERICH, LUCAS