FATAL OVERDOSE OF 2,4-DICHLOROPHENOXYACETIC ACID (2,4-D)

An ingestion of an unknown quantity of U 46 D-Fluid (500 g dichlorophe noxyacetic acid/l). in a suicide is described. Although 2,4-dichloroph enoxyacetic acid (2,4 D) is widely used as a herbicide, intoxications are relatively rare. Quantitation of 2,4,-D was performed by diethyl e ther extraction from acidified samples (viscera) or by deproteinizatio n (blood, plasma) with methanol before HPLC analysis. Postmortem conce ntrations of 2,4-D in body fluids and tissues are given. The proposed method resulted in a rapid procedure most useful in cases of deliberat e poisoning with phenoxyacetic herbicides.