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A simple and fast HPLC system is presented for quantifying paraquat in human plasma and serum using 1,1′-diethyl-4,4′-bipyridyldiylium (diethyl paraquat) as an internal standard. An octadecyl–silica column is used with an eluent of 10% acetonitrile (v/v) containing sodium 1-octanesulphonic acid (3.0 mM) and a diethylamine–orthophosphoric acid buffer (pH 3). Unlike with other techniques, sample treatment requires only the precipitation of protein contents by 6% perchloric acid (v/v) in methanol. The method has a limit of detection of 0.1 μg/ml and is linear up to 10 μg/ml. The serum of four patients and the plasma of one patient with paraquat intoxication’s were analysed and positive identification and quantification was readily achieved. One of those patients survived, partially given the rapid disclosure of his levels of paraquat. Therefore, this method is suitable for quantification of paraquat in toxicological …