Quantitative assessment of carbon tetrachloride levels in human blood by head-space gas chromatography: application in a case of suicidal carbon tetrachloride intoxication.

A head-space gas chromatographic method for the determination of carbon tetrachloride in human blood is described. Standard samples with 0.5 ml whole blood containing different concentrations of CCl4 were analyzed at column temperatures ranging from 50 degrees to 90 degrees C. Advantages of this method include high sensitivity, simplicity in handling, rapid achievement of reliable results, accuracy and low costs. The practicability of this analytical method was studied in a patient following suicidal oral ingestion of a lethal dose of carbon tetrachloride.