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Biological Terrorist Agents
Published in Robert A. Burke, Counter-Terrorism for Emergency Responders, 2017
After several hours, profuse sweating occurred, which signaled the end of the symptomatic phase. Little data are available on human inhalation exposure, but victims would be expected to develop severe lung inflammation with a progressive cough, dyspnea, cyanosis, and pulmonary edema. When ricin enters the body through routes other than inhalation, it is not a direct lung irritant. Ingestion causes gastrointestinal hemorrhage with hepatic, splenic, and renal necrosis. Intramuscular injection would cause severe localized necrosis of muscle and regional lymph nodes with moderate visceral organ involvement. The toxicity of ricin compared to botulinum and SEB, based upon LD50 values, is much less. Natural intoxication from ricin can occur by the ingestion of the castor bean. This produces severe gastrointestinal symptoms, vascular collapse, and death. Terrorist uses may involve contamination of food or water supplies, use of ricin-laced projectiles, or aerosolization as a liquid or freeze-dried powder. When exposure to ricin occurs through inhalation of small particles, pathogenic changes can occur in as little as 8 hours. This is followed by severe respiratory symptoms and acute hypoxic respiratory failure. Intravenous injection may result in disseminated intravascular coagulation, microcirculatory failure, and multiple organ failure. Ricin is toxic to the cells in the body and acts by inhibiting protein synthesis. During tests conducted on rodents, ricin was more toxic through inhalation than ingestion. Little data are available to indicate the effects on humans.
CBRNE and weapons of mass destruction
Published in Michael L. Madigan, First Responders Handbook, 2017
Ricin—a plant toxin that is 30 times more potent than the nerve agent VX by weight and is readily obtainable by extraction from common castor beans. There is no treatment for ricin poisoning after it has entered the bloodstream. Victims start to show symptoms within hours to days after exposure, depending on the dosage and route of administration. Terrorists have looked at delivering ricin in foods and as a contact poison, although it is not known to penetrate healthy skin. Ricin remains stable in unheated foods and has few indicators because it does not have a strong taste or color.
PROTECTING THE OFFICE BUILDING FROM NBCs
Published in Charles D. Reese, Office Building Safety and Health, 2004
Ricin is a poison made from the waste from processing castor beans. It can be in the form of a powder, a mist or pellet. Exposure can occur through inhalation or ingestion. Ricin works by getting inside the cells in the body and preventing those cells from producing the proteins they need. Without the proteins, the cells die and eventually the whole body can shut down and die. There is no antidote for ricin poisoning. More information can be found regarding biological agents, their signs, and symptoms in Appendix G.
Biopesticide formulations of karanj and castor oil using soapnut
Published in Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology, 2022
Kartiki B. Jadhav, Mrunal Ghag Sawant, Trupti Satvekar, Jayashree M. Nagarkar
Castor oil is a multi-purpose vegetable oil made by extracting oil from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant. Castor seeds are known as castor beans which contain a toxic enzyme called “ricin.” Castor oil has the number of medicinal, industrial and pharmaceutical uses. It is commonly used as an additive in foods, medication and skincare products, as well as an industrial lubricant and biodiesel fuel component.[10] The ricin and ricinine are active ingredients of R. communis that act against S. frugiperda. Castor seed extract possesses more insecticidal and insectistatic potential than the leaf extract.[11] Castor and Hazelnut oil have shown insecticidal activity against various pest and insects.[12,13] The seeds of R. communis are economical, readily available and biodegradable. The use of nanopesticides prepared by such materials would be a good alternative strategy for controlling pest populations and reducing the toxic effect of bulk formulations on the environment.[14] The bioactive nanoemulsion prepared by using Lippia alba volatile oil was also found to be effective pesticide.[15]
Smart choice transesterification-base-produced biodiesels and their performance characteristics in diesel engine
Published in Biofuels, 2022
Mir Majid Etghani, Hessam Mirgolbabaei
Castor Biodiesel (CAB) is one of the most appropriate choices for transitioning from fossil fuel to biodiesel. Its low cloud and pour points make it suitable for cold winter temperatures [15]. The worldwide castor oil market is growing [16,17]. Ricin is a poison found naturally in castor beans. If castor beans are chewed and swallowed, the released ricin can cause injury. While castor beans are non-edible and poisonous, for both animals and humans, castor oils are non-toxic because ricin is part of the waste produced when the oil is extracted from castor beans. The oil does not have an intense taste or odor. Being non-edible, reasonably priced, and growable in various climate conditions makes it an appropriate choice for diesel fuel replacement feedstock.