A tiny quantity can be lethal, but the amount needed to kill depends on the route of administration.Ī combination of pulmonary, liver, renal and immunological failure can lead to death, though people can recover from exposure. It can cause harm if injected, swallowed or inhaled.

The toxin is part of the waste 'mash' produced when castor oil is made. Ricin is extracted from castor beans, which are processed throughout the world to make castor oil. The principal scientist in biomedical sciences at DSTL added: 'It is anticipated that a product will be available for use in the next couple of years.' But this is the first that has been moved into production. Security experts say ricin - roughly 1,000 times more toxic than cyanide - could be used in a bio-terror attack.ĭr Holley told BBC News: 'In the past there has been lots of research carried out using different methods.

The antidote can protect against death up to 24 hours after exposure, according to Dr Jane Holley from DSTL. It is the result of eight years of work by researchers at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory based at Porton Down in Wiltshire. An anti-toxin that protects against ricin poisoning is to move into production for the first time.

Ricin poisoning antidote