Biological warfare ricin

Despite ricin s extreme toxicity and utility as an agent of chemical/biological warfare, it is extremely difficult to limit the production of the toxin. Therefore, ricin is currently monitored as a Schedule 1 toxic chemical under the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development,... 

Franz, D.R. and Jaax, N.K. (1997). Ricin toxin. In Textbook of Military Medicine, Part I Warfare, Weaponry, and the Casualty. Medical Aspects of Chemical and Biological Warfare. Sidell, F.R., Takafuji, E.T., and Franz, D.R. (eds). Office of the Surgeon General, Department of the Army, Washington, D.C., pp. 631-642. 

As with other protein toxin weapons, we expect that the generation of primary or secondary ricin aerosols, especially within an enclosed space, poses a potential biological warfare or bioterrorism risk (LeClaire and Pitt, 2005 Millard, 2005). Due to the technical challenges of generating highly toxic and persistent protein aerosols, we expect the risk of lethality to be less than the risk of operational disruption, prolonged incapacitation from ocular or respiratory tract inflammation, and increased burden on medical and logistical assets. 

A. Characteristics. Ricin is a glycoprotein toxin from the seed of the castor bean plant. Altering ribosomal RNA blocks protein synthesis, thereby killing infected cells. Ricin s significance as a potential biological warfare agent relates to its availability worldwide, ease of production, and extreme pulmonary toxicity when inhaled. 

USN (May 1996). Biological Warfare Defense Information Sheet — Ricin. United States Navy Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defense (http // nmimc-webl. med.navy.mil / MED-02/med-02C/ricin.htm). 

Fig. 18-2. A pellet of this type, designed to contain ricin toxin, was used to assassinate Georgi Markov in London and in the attempt on the life of Vladimir Rostov in Paris. The tiny, platinum-iridium pellet—the size of the head of a pin (0.068 in. diameter)—was cross-drilled with 0.016-in. holes in which ricin (or another toxin) could be placed. Reprinted from van Keuren RT. Chemical and Biological Warfare, An Investigative Guide. Washington, DC Office of Enforcement, Strategic Investigations Division, US Customs Service October 1990 90.

This first edition of Handbook of Toxicology of Chemical Warfare Agents was prepared to offer the most comprehensive coverage of every aspect of the deadly toxic chemicals that can be used as CWAs/CWMD. In addition to the chapters on radiation, several chapters were included on deadly biotoxins (ricin, abrin, strychnine, anthrax, and botulinum toxins) that can be weaponized in chemical, radiological, and biological warfare. Many... 

Douglas Jr., J.D., Livingston, N.C, 1987. America the Vulnerable The Threat of Chemical and Biological Warfare. Lexington Books, Lexington, MA, pp. 84-85. EHSO, 2014. Environment, Health and Safety Online, (accessed 29.04.14). 

Poli, M.A., Roy, C., Huebner, K.D., et al, 2007. Ricin Medical Aspects of Biological Warfare. Office of the Surgeon General and US Army Medical Department Center and School, Ft. Sam Houston, XX, pp. 323-335. 

Saxitoxin is a naturally occurring toxin that is synthesized by various marine dinoflagellates. It is used in neurochemical and molecular biology research. Saxitoxin causes paralytic shellfish poisoning. It is far more potent than the classic puffer fish toxin, tetrodotoxin. Saxitoxin is one of only two naturally occurring schedule 1 chemical warfare agents (the other is ricin). 

Biological toxins typically are of lesser molecular weight and size, and are thus more soluble and more easily penetrate the skin than chemical weapon agents. Biological toxins can be categorized based upon their mode of action, such as neurotoxins (disrupt nerve impulses) and cytotoxins (disrupt cell respiration and metabolism). Known biological toxins that are warfare or terror agents include aflatoxin, botuli-num toxins, ricin, and T2 mycotoxin. 

TOXIN. A poisonous substance that occurs naturally in animals, bacteria, or plants. Examples include botulinum toxin, ricin, and tbe tri-chothecene mycotoxins. Some toxins can be produced artificially through chemical synthesis. The military relevance of toxins was recognized during World War I, when the U. S. Army Chemical Warfare Service (CWS) conducted research and production of selected toxins at the Catholic University of America. Weapons having toxins as their primary payload are controlled as both chemical weapons (CW) (under the Chemical Weapons Convention [CWC]) and biological weapons (BW) (under the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention [BTWC]). Toxins have also seen use as assassination weapons. See also JUGLONE SAXITOXIN. 

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