Ricin is a potent toxin present in castor bean seeds (scientific name: ricinus communis) and is part of a residue called "white must", which is left over from the processing of castor bean into castor oil.
This toxin has gained attention in recent years because it can be used as a biological warfare agent or as a weapon of mass destruction.
Castor bean seed.
Only a small amount of this poison can be lethal. Exposure arises when the toxin is inhaled, ingested or injected.
Ricin can be considered a substance that causes poisoning, however it is not characterized as a disease and is not transmitted by contagion.
Ricin poisoning has flu-like characteristics. Symptoms of poisoning depend on the amount of toxin and the method of exposure, but can include fever, vomiting, nausea, severe coughing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and dehydration.
How does ricin act in the body?
In contact with the human body, ricin enters cells preventing protein synthesis and causing cell death. This is harmful to the whole body, and death is an imminent risk.
The effects of ricin poisoning depend on inhalation, ingestion, or injection of ricin.
What are the symptoms caused by ricin?
The main symptoms of ricin poisoning depend on the route of exposure and the dose received, although many organs can be affected in severe cases.
Initial symptoms of inhalation ricin poisoning can occur as early as 4 to 8 hours and up to 24 hours after exposure. After ingestion of ricin, initial symptoms usually occur in less than 10 hours.
Inhalation symptoms
A few hours after inhaling significant amounts of ricin, the likely symptoms would be respiratory distress (difficulty breathing), fever, cough, nausea, and tightness in the chest.
Severe sweating may occur, as well as accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary oedema). This would make breathing even more difficult, and the skin would take on a bluish tint (cyanosis) due to lack of oxygenation.
Excess fluid in the lungs would be diagnosed by x-ray or by listening to the chest with a stethoscope.
Finally, low blood pressure and respiratory failure can occur, leading to death.
In cases of known exposure to ricin, people with respiratory symptoms should seek medical attention.
Symptoms by ingestion
If someone ingests a significant amount of ricin, they are likely to develop vomiting and diarrhea that can become bloody. Within a few days, the liver, spleen, and kidneys can stop working and lead to death.
Severe dehydration can be the result, followed by low blood pressure. Other signs or symptoms can include seizures and blood in the urine.
Symptoms from skin and eye exposure
Ricin is unlikely to be absorbed by normal skin. Contact with products that contain ricin can cause redness and pain in the skin and eyes.
However, if you touch the ricin on your skin and then eat it with your hands or put your hands in your mouth, you may be able to ingest some.
Death from ricin poisoning can occur within 36 to 72 hours of exposure, depending on the route of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, or injection) and the dose received.
There is still no antidote for ricin poisoning.
