Ricin

CAS RN: 9009-86-3

WMD Response Guidelines

title-here
Ricin
Guide 12
Classification:
Toxin
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
  • Inhalation Route: Cough, Tightness of Chest, Difficulty Breathing, Nausea, Muscle Aches, Cyanosis, Death
  • Ingestion Route: Nausea, Vomiting, Bleeding in the Gastrointestinal Tract, Failure of Liver, Spleen, and Kidneys, Death
  • Injection: Marked Death of Muscles and Lymph Nodes Near Site of Injection, Failure of Major Organs, Death
CHARACTERISTICS
  • Rate of Action: 1-2 Hours
  • Always Fatal
  • Not Contagious
  • Treatment Limited
INDICATORS
  • Focused Response
  • Public Health Emergency
  • Verbal or Written Threats
  • Unusual Number of Sick or Dying People or Animals
  • Suspicious Bombing Incident with Little Blast or Fire Damage
  • Unscheduled or Unusual Spray Being or Having Been Disseminated
  • Abandoned Spray or Dispersion Devices
  • Laboratory Containers
  • Biohazard Cultures or Culture Media Labels
  • Casualty Distribution Aligned with Wind Direction
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
  • Approach from Upwind, Uphill, or Upstream
  • Isolate Immediate Area for at Least 300 Feet in all Directions
  • Keep Unauthorized Persons Away (Crowd Control)
  • Stay Upwind
  • Make Notifications
  • Decon with 5% bleach solution (for surface contamination if present) or soap and water (for personal contamination)
  • Obtain immediate medical attention
TYPE OF HARM
  • Etiological
PERSONAL PROTECTION
  • Time: Keep Exposure and Product Contact to Minimum
  • Distance: Stay at least 300 feet away on Upwind Side Until Agent is Identified
  • Shielding: Chemical Protective Clothing
Content reproduced for WISER with permission from the Louisiana State University and A&M College, National Center for Biomedical Research and Training, Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education. WMD Response Guidebook ©. Further reproduction prohibited.
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