Analysis of diethyltoluamide (DEET) following intentional oral ingestion of Muscol

J Anal Toxicol. May-Jun 1995;19(3):197-9. doi: 10.1093/jat/19.3.197.

Abstract

N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) is an effective component of several insect repellent products. A 19-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency department following ingestion of 15-25 mL 95% diethyltoluamide (Muscol). Serum and urine toxicology screening tests were negative except for detection of DEET. DEET was qualitatively identified and quantitated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Concentrations of DEET based on selected ion monitoring (ion at m/z 119) were 63.0, 17.2, 1.9, and less than 0.2 mg/L in serum specimens collected at 2, 5, 24, and 48 h following ingestion, respectively. Serial monitoring of DEET concentrations and the cardiac abnormalities observed in this case following oral ingestion were not reported previously.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • DEET / blood*
  • DEET / poisoning
  • DEET / urine*
  • Female
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Humans
  • Insect Repellents / blood*
  • Insect Repellents / poisoning
  • Insect Repellents / urine
  • Suicide, Attempted*

Substances

  • Insect Repellents
  • DEET