How do they test for paraquat in blood?

There are several methods of testing for paraquat in blood, including ultraviolet spectrophotometry, chromatography, and capillary electrophoresis. The most important step in determining whether someone has paraquat in their blood is extracting the herbicide from the samples.

Within 12 to 24 hours after exposure, 90% of the paraquat is rapidly excreted in urine

After exposure, paraquat is quickly distributed to the lungs, kidneys, liver, and muscles. Although paraquat is rapidly excreted from the body in urine following exposure, if the person is regularly exposed to the herbicide, it will still be present in their blood, even in trace amounts. So, paraquat can be detected if they undergo a blood test. The following are the methods by which it can be determined whether someone has paraquat in their blood:

  • ultraviolet spectrophotometry: this is a quantitative technique used to measure how much a chemical absorbs light
  • chromatography: this is a process for separating components of a mixture by dissolving the mixture in a substance known as the mobile phase
  • capillary electrophoresis: this is a technique that is especially suitable for the analysis of peptides that differ in net charge

If you know or believe you were exposed to paraquat, you should request a blood test so that you know with certainty whether the herbicide is in your system. However, not all laboratories might offer a blood test for paraquat, so you should do your research before or simply call and ask if this blood test is available. People with known paraquat exposure who developed Parkinson’s disease might be eligible for compensation, so we strongly encourage them to contact our experienced attorneys.

We can efficiently help you file a paraquat exposure claim for Parkinson’s disease

Whether you are a farmworker, agricultural worker, or family member, if you were exposed to paraquat for a significant time and came to struggle with Parkinson’s disease, our attorneys have the necessary experience, resources, and knowledge to help you file a claim. For over 30 years, we have been assisting toxic exposure victims and will gladly offer you quality legal services, too. To initiate the legal process, you will have to send in evidence of your paraquat exposure and your medical records stating your diagnosis.

After a thorough and careful review of your documents, we will establish whether you are entitled to financial compensation from the liable companies whose herbicides you were exposed to. Once we deem you eligible, our diligent attorneys will promptly begin preparing your paraquat exposure claim for submission. If you are too ill to participate in the legal process, you can ask a family member to help you navigate it. Furthermore, our compassionate legal team will do all in its power to take care of the most complex aspects on your behalf.

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