Epstein Bought 330 Gallons Of Sulphuric Acid The Day FBI Launched Probe, Files Reveal

Last Updated:February 11, 2026, 08:07 IST

Epstein purchased 330 gallons of sulphuric acid on the day the FBI began its investigation, sparking speculation, though documents suggest it was for RO water system maintenance.

The recent documents uncovered within the Epstein files have brought attention to the purchase of 330 gallons of sulphuric acid for the late convicted sex offender’s private island on the very same day the FBI opened its investigation into his alleged trafficking operations.

A receipt, along with multiple email exchanges embedded in the millions of released files from January 30, shows that six 55-gallon drums of sulphuric acid were delivered to Little St. James (LSJ), Epstein’s infamous island, on June 12, 2018—exactly when federal authorities began their inquiry into his sex trafficking activities.

The order details in the receipt specify: “x 6 55 gal drums sulphuric acid w/fuel and insurance charge for transport; materials for conductivity probes; replacement pH and cable – RO Plant – LSJ," Daily Mail reported.

Evidence Destruction Or Water Purification? Speculation Swirls

This revelation has sparked widespread speculation on social media, with many users questioning whether the sulphuric acid was purchased for illicit purposes, such as “destroying evidence or human remains," although no evidence has surfaced to suggest such use.

One user on social media noted: “One Epstein files email they requested 6 55-gallon drums of sulphuric acid, the only thing that is used for is to dissolve bodies."

However, other emails within the files, dating back to 2013, offer a more plausible explanation for the chemical’s presence. It appears that Epstein used sulphuric acid in the maintenance of a Reverse Osmosis (RO) water purification system on the island.

Sulphuric acid is commonly used in water treatment to adjust pH levels, soften water, and improve the effectiveness of other chemicals used in the purification process—meaning its presence may have been for legitimate purposes related to water management, rather than any criminal activity.

Beyond its role in water treatment, the documents do not provide any other reasons for the large quantity of sulphuric acid, leaving room for ongoing speculation.

Epstein, who was found dead in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, had been previously convicted of soliciting prostitution from minors, leading to his registration as a sex offender. He was accused of orchestrating an extensive network that trafficked underage girls for sex.

The release of the files, which includes a wealth of images, videos, and emails from Epstein’s private computers, follows a broader effort by the US Department of Justice to make millions of pages of documents available to the public. The department has said it would release over three million pages of material, including more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, shedding further light on Epstein’s operations and the ongoing investigation.

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