| Feature |
Details |
| Source |
Found naturally in castor beans |
| Production |
Can be made from waste material left after processing castor beans |
| Forms |
Powder, mist, pellet, or dissolved in water/weak acid |
| Stability |
Stable under normal conditions; destroyed at temperatures above 80°C (176°F) |
| Toxicity |
Extremely poisonous when inhaled, eaten, or injected; 5–10 micrograms per kg can be fatal |
| How it Works |
Ricin enters body cells and stops them from making proteins needed for survival, leading to cell death |
| Effect on Body |
Damages organs and can cause death if not treated quickly |
| Accidental Exposure |
Very rare; usually from swallowing castor seeds |
| Treatment |
No specific antidote; treatment focuses on supportive medical care (helping the body recover) |
| Why Dangerous |
Considered a potential biological weapon because it is easy to produce and highly toxic |