Fenitrothion (sumithion) in biological fluids of a patient, who attempted suicide by ingesting of fenitrothion, was separated and purified by Extrelut® column extraction. A gas chromatograph equipped with a flame photometric detec1 or and a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer were used for a detection of fenitrothion.
A 41-year-old female, who attempted suicide by ingesting about 30 ml of Sumithion® (40% fenitrothion), started to vomit spontaneously and recurringly, and was transported to a hospital 3 hr after the ingestion. The patient was almost fully conscious and the diameter of her pupils was 3 mm on both sides.
The fenitrothion concentration in the blood sample was 260 ng/g and was less than 6 ng/g in the urine sample both of which were collected 4 hr after ingestion. Aminofenitrothion, 4-nitro-3-methyl phenol, S-methylfenitrothion, phenobarbital and lidocaine were identified in the ethyl ether extract of the urine sample. After ingestion, the serum cholinesterase activity (normal range: 175-440 IU) was 104 at hr, 38 at 1 day, 85 at 2 days, 102 at 3 days and 137 at 4 days.