What it is, where it comes from, and what it does. Ricin What it is, where it comes from, and what it does.

Where does Ricin come from? Ricin comes from the castor bean. Castor beans are processed throughout the world to make castor oil. Ricin makes up part of the waste “mash” left over when castor oil is made. Castor beans and the plant they come from

What is Ricin used for? Ricin has can be used in bone marrow transplants. It has been found to kill cancer cells. When given in low doses to mice, it has been found to have memory improving effects.

Ricin Poisoning When exposed, Ricin enters your body and enters your cells. Once in your cells, Ricin prevents them from making the proteins that they need. This causes the cells to die, the body to shut down, and death. Ribosomes are the site of proteins synthesis.

Forms of Ricin Ricin can be found in the following forms: Powder Mist Pellet Ricin can be inhaled, ingested or injected into a person’s body. A ricin pellet

Symptoms of Ricin Poisoning Inhalation Symptoms: Coughing, tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing, nausea, aching muscles, airways become inflamed, fluid build-up in lungs. Ingestion Symptoms: Internal bleeding of stomach/intestines, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, organs such as the liver, kidneys and spleen stop working. Injection Symptoms: Muscles and lymph nodes die near the site of injection, organs such as the liver, spleen, kidneys stop working, massive bleeding in stomach & intestines.