"Ricin is the third most toxic substance known after plutonium and botulism.
Its recent discovery at a Wood Green flat in London marks the first 'specific threat' in the United Kingdom linked to Muslim extremists since Sept. 11, 2002.
Ricin's potential as a powerful terrorist weapon is high, as it is relatively easy to produce and has no antidote.
Indeed, it takes so little ricin to kill one human being that its use can be undetectable.
It also offers a method to instigate panic and disorder as a "disabling agent" if used to pollute water and food supplies."
Deaths caused by ingestion of seeds are rare.[3]
Eight beans are considered toxic for an adult.[4]
A solution of saline and glucose has been used to treat ricin overdose. [5]
The case experience is not as negative as popular perception would indicate.[6]
CDI Fact Sheet: Ricin
"Ricin works by blocking protein synthesis at the cellular level.
It was discovered in 1800 by Hermann Stillmark, who uncovered the properties of lectins, a type of versatile plant protein.
While extracting oil from castor beans, he discovered ricin, the toxic protein making up 1 percent to 5 percent of the beans' weight."
"Ricin can be delivered to the human body via ingestion, injection, or inhalation.
Dermal, or physical contact, while not recommended, poses little danger due to negligible absorption.
Ricin is 6000 times more toxic than cyanide and 12000 times more poisonous than rattlesnake venom by weight. While there is no known antidote, the US military has developed a vaccine.
Death can occur 36-72 hours after exposure. If a victim survives 5 days, most likely it will not be fatal.