Massive ingestion of the herbicide 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA).
OBJECTIVE
To report the course of a massive ingestion of the herbicide 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid or MCPA (4-chloro-2-methyl phenoxy acetic acid) and to correlate plasma 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid levels with symptoms of intoxication and treatment.


METHODS
After intentional ingestion of the herbicide, 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid, a young man suffered burning in his mouth, spasmodic pain in the extremities and a severe hypotensive crisis. Plasma 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid concentration was 546 mg/L two hours after ingestion. Therapy by forced diuresis was ineffective until the urine was alkalinized (Day 4). This resulted in a rapid decline of the plasma 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid level to 6 mg/L and recovery of the patient.
Schmoldt
A
A
Department of Legal Medicine, University of Hamburg, Germany.
Iwersen
S
S
Schlüter
W
W
D008456:2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D002606:Charcoal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004231:Diuresis; D005751:Gastric Lavage; D006540:Herbicides / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013406:Suicide, Attempted
D006540:Herbicides; D002606:Charcoal; D008456:2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic Acid