The Deadly Castor Bean

One of the most toxic chemicals found in plants is ricin. This poison is fatal to humans in very low doses. Scientists estimate that only a dose of 0.2 milligrams is lethal, and is more potent than the venom of a cobra. Some reports say that a person only needs to inhale or ingest a small amount of the ricin, like several castor beans, to fall deathly ill. Other reports of people who have accidentally, or purposely, swallowed or chewed the beans have become very ill, but recovered without any lasting damaged to their organs.

The castor bean plant, Ricinus communis, is quite hardy and grows easily in gardens or in the wild. If someone eats castor beans, they will begin to exhibit symptoms quickly, usually within a couple of hours. It will generally begin with stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea, then the person will become dehydrated. The sick person could go on for several days like this, but if they manage to survive after 3 or 4 days, they generally recover. For people who have small children, it is advisable not to grow castor bean plants around the home. Most of the ricin is released when the bean is chewed and the protective coating around it is broken, releasing the toxin. If the beans are swallowed whole, they may just pass through the digestive system and pass through the body within releasing any ricin. But it's still better not to take the chance.

Researchers have studied the effects of ricin on diseases such as cancer. They believe ricin might attack harmful cancer cells. Ricin might be useful in targeting and identifying certain cells. Medical researchers aren't the only ones who think ricin might be useful. The military since World War I had studied ricin for a biological weapon. They wanted to use it in a dust form to infect the enemy, but it was determined to be against the Hague Converion of 1899, so was never used. The military, however, does have a vaccine developed against the effects of ricin. There is an incident where a political dissident was assassinated with a pellet of ricin that was shot into his leg during the Cold War.

If ricin was sprayed or dispersed in the air, the elements already in the atmosphere would likely lessen its affects and make it harmless, so scientists don't believe anyone should worry about this type of bio-weapon. Even with a vaccine, there is no antidote, so great care must be taken when dealing with the castor bean plant and the actual beans.