Ricin Latest News
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad recently busted a suspected terror syndicate by arresting a 'doctor', who was allegedly preparing the highly lethal chemical poison, 'Ricin', and whose handler is associated with the Islamic State Khorasan Province, and two others.
About Ricin
- Ricin is a poison found naturally in castor beans.Â
- If castor beans are chewed and swallowed, the ricin that comes out can cause injury.Â
- Ricin can be made from the waste material left over from processing castor beans.
- Ricin can be in the form of a powder, a mist, or a pellet.Â
- It can also be dissolved in water or weak acid.
- It is stable under normal conditions. However, it will not work if temperatures are over 80 degrees centigrade (176 degrees Fahrenheit).
- It is toxic when inhaled, ingested, or injected.Â
- As few as five to ten micrograms per kilogram can be lethal.
- How Does It Work?
- Ricin works by getting inside the cells of a person's body and preventing the cells from making the proteins they need. Without the proteins, cells die.
- Eventually this is harmful to the whole body, and death may occur.
- It is of special concern because of its potential use as a biological weapon.Â
- Accidental exposure to ricin is rare and results primarily from the ingestion of castor seeds.
- Treatment:Â
- No antidote exists for ricin.Â
- Symptomatic ricin poisoning is treated by providing supportive medical care to minimize the effects of the poisoning.
Source: NDTV
Ricin FAQs
Q1: What is the natural source of ricin?
Ans: Castor bean
Q2: What is the primary way ricin harms the human body?
Ans: It prevents cells from making proteins.
Q3: In which physical forms can ricin be found?
Ans: Ricin can be in the form of a powder, a mist, or a pellet.
