Metal contamination in illicit samples of heroin

We analyzed 198 illicit heroin samples from Andalusia (southern Spain) to d etermine the contents of various metals (cadmium, calcium, copper, iron, ma nganese and zinc) with a view to investigating a new aspect of the drug pur ity and the conditions under which the drugs are used by addicts. Calcium w as found in 93.4% of the samples and always at high concentrations, which c an be ascribed to adulteration of the heroin by addicts with thinners and e xcipients containing salts of this metal such as calcium bicarbonate. Also, all samples were found to contain variable amounts of zinc and substantial amounts of iron, probably because it is the most common metal found in met al containers used in the extraction of morphine from the opium poppy. Only cadmium and, to a lesser extent, zinc, copper, and iron, are among the met als detected in heroin that can increase the inherent toxicity of the drug while always taking into account the maximum values.