Ahem! Ricin is a poison derived from castor beans...
Ricin is a stable substance, affected very little by extreme conditions, such as very hot or very cold temperatures.
Ricin can be in the form of a powder, a mist, a pellet, or it can be dissolved in water or weak acid. It is water-soluble, odorless, tasteless, and stable under ambient conditions.
Depending on the route of exposure (such as injection or inhalation), as little as 500 µ of ricin could be enough to kill an adult. A greater amount would be needed to cause death if ricin were ingested.
The extent of manifestations of ricin poisoning in humans depends on the amount of ricin to which a person was exposed, route of exposure, and extent of organ involvement.
Significant exposure to ricin would result in a relatively rapid, progressive worsening of symptoms over approximately 4 to 36 hours.
Death may occur within 36 hours of exposure. If death has not occurred by 5 days from exposure, the victim usually recovers.
It would take a deliberate act to manufacture ricin to poison people. There have been several instances of ricin procurement for use as a terrorist or criminal weapon.
As a chemical weapon, ricin may be dispersed as a mist or powder, used to poison water or to contaminate food, or injected as a liquid into a person's body. No antidote exists for ricin.
The most important factor is to avoid exposure. If exposure cannot be avoided, then the most important factors are to get ricin off or out of the body as quickly as possible, and to provide supportive medical care. Ricin poisoning represents a potential public health emergency and should be reported to public health agencies and the regional poison control center.
Ahem.....not terrorist relayed. The ricin just *fell off* the castor beans.
Glad to see ya again backhoe!!!