Chemical Weapons Convention ricin

Toxins are any poisonous substances that can be produced by an animal, plant, or microbe. Because of their complexity, most toxins are difficult to synthesize in large quantities by traditional chemical means. However, they may be harvested from cultured sources or produced by genetically engineered microbes. Toxins are odorless, tasteless, and nonvolatile. Ricin (C16-A036) and saxitoxin (C16-A018) are the only toxins listed in the Chemical Weapons Convention (Schedule 1). 

Fig. 30-1. Toxicity, in mouse LD50 (see Table 30-2), plotted against the quantity of toxin required to provide a theoretically effective open-air aerosol exposure, under ideal meteorological conditions, to an area of 100 km2. Although the toxicity is based on direct studies with mice, it is believed to be very similar in humans. The mathematical model corrects for human parameters such as respiration. Ricin, saxitoxin, and botulinum, and trichothecene mycotoxins (T-2) kill at the concentrations depicted. Adapted from Spertzel RO, Wannemacher RW, Patrick WC, Linden CD, Franz DR. Technical Ramifications of Inclusion of Toxins in the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Alexandria, Va Defense Nuclear Agency 1992 18. DNA Technical Report 92-116.

Both ricin and saxitoxin are listed under the Chemical Weapons Convention Schedule 1 as chemical weapons, although both can be found in nature. (Saxitoxin can be manufactured synthetically in small quantities). 

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. 

Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (CWC), and the international use of ricin or abrin as weapons is prohibited under the 1972 Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (BTWC) Procedural Report and Rolling Text Ad Hoc Group 23rd session (April 23-May 11, 2001). 

Cyanide Phosgene Mustard Nerve Agents Aerosols Chemical Weapon Substance P Neurokinin A Saxitoxin Ricin Botulinum Toxin Biological and Toxin Modified/tailored bacteria and viruses Weapons Convention Bacteria Viruses Rickettsia Anthrax Plague Tularemia... 

During World War I, the US War Department investigated ricin for chemical warfare use (Audi et al, 2005). At that time it was being considered for use either as a toxic dust or as a coating for bullets and shrapnel. However, the toxic dust concept could not be adequately developed, and the coated bullet/shrapnel concept would violate the Hague Convention of 1899. The war ended before it was weaponized. 

Several aspects of ricin, including its significant toxicity, past association with chemical warfare, and wide availability in ton quantities from castor seed meal, have contributed to the international regulation of the toxin as a potential weapon of mass destniction. Ricin is currently monitored as a Schedule 1 toxic chemical under the Convention on the Prohibition of the... 

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