{"id":49956,"date":"2025-04-25T21:21:14","date_gmt":"2025-04-26T01:21:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hancockhealth.org\/mayo-health-library\/ricin-poisoning\/"},"modified":"2026-02-04T11:39:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T16:39:32","slug":"ricin-poisoning","status":"publish","type":"mayo","link":"https:\/\/www.hancockhealth.org\/ja\/mayo-health-library\/ricin-poisoning\/","title":{"rendered":"Ricin poisoning"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you think you’ve been exposed to ricin, get into fresh air and call 911 or your local emergency number right away.<\/p>\n

Ricin is a poison that can be made from the waste left when castor beans are made into castor oil. The poison can get into cells in the body. It can kill the cells by keeping them from making the proteins they need.<\/p>\n

Ricin can be used as a weapon. It can be turned into a mist and inhaled. It also can be consumed in poisoned food or from a water supply that has it. Or it can be given in a shot.<\/p>\n

Symptoms of ricin poisoning depend on whether a person breathes in the ricin, eats it or gets it in a shot. When breathed in, ricin causes fever, chest tightness, cough and breathing problems. Ricin can cause a fluid buildup in the lungs, known as pulmonary edema.<\/p>\n

If ricin is eaten, it can cause vomiting and diarrhea. It can cause bleeding in the gut and organ damage. The poison can kill a person within three days. Even a small amount of ricin can kill.<\/p>\n

There’s no good test to confirm exposure to ricin. There’s no vaccine for or way to counter ricin poisoning. Treatment might lessen the effects of the poison.<\/p>\n

While waiting for emergency medical help, follow these steps from the Centers<\/strong> for Disease Control and Prevention:<\/p>\n