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.
If castor beans are chewed and swallowed, the ricin that comes out can cause injury.
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.
It can also be dissolved in water or weak acid.
It is stable under normal conditions. However, it will not work if temperatures are over80 degrees centigrade (176 degrees Fahrenheit).
It is toxic when inhaled, ingested, or injected.
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.
Accidental exposure to ricin is rare and results primarily from the ingestion of castor seeds.
Treatment:
No antidote exists for ricin.
Symptomatic ricin poisoning is treated by providing supportive medical care to minimize the effects of the poisoning.
Dear Student,
You have still not entered your mailing address. Please enter the address where all the study materials will be sent to you. (If applicable).
