Ricin

Prepared by:marwa najm Supervised by: dr shorsh

2020_2019
 ?What is ricin
• Ricin is a powerful protein toxin naturally found
In castor beans.
• It can be in the form of a pellet, powder, mist or
can be dissolved in water, food or weak acids.
• Per gram, it is 6,000 times more potent than
cyanide.
• Ricin is considered both a biological and
• chemical agent by the CDC.
 Ricin in history
• 1940-US military experimented using Ricin as
a warfare agent.
• 1978- Influential Bulgarian writer and
journalist, Georgi Markov assassinated after
being injected with Ricin by umbrella.
• 1981-present- 20 incidents of ricin have been
reported in both the U.S. and Britain.
 ?How much is deadly
• If injected, the amount
the size of a head of a pin can kill you.
• Much more would be needed to kill someone
by Ingestion or inhalation.
• There is no known antidote or cure.
• Medical treatment is for symptoms.
 Signs&symptoms:inhalation
• Only a few hours after inhalation
• Severe lung damage
• Respiratory distress
• Fluid in the lungs
• Cough
• Fever
• Nausea
• Tightness in chest
 Signs&symptoms:ingestion
• Bloody vomit and stool
• Severe dehydration
• Fever
• Hallucinations
• Seizures
• Cramping
• Potential liver, spleen and kidney failure
 Signs&symptoms:skin/eye
exposure
• Redness
• Pain
• Irritation
• Fever
• Congestion
• Seizures
• Heart failure
• Coughing
 Protect yourself
• Do not touch, move, or open any suspicious
packages or envelopes.
• Isolate suspicious packages, envelopes or
other items.
• If exposed, remove clothing and wash exposed
skin with soap and water.
• seek medical attention immediately.
 ?What happens next
• Any ricin incident should be treated as a
terrorist/criminal incident until proven otherwise.
• Notify the local law enforcement agency.
• Following initial response the FBI, HAZMAT,DHS
(Department of Homeland Security), HSOC
(Homeland Security Operations Center), HHS
(Human and Health Services), CDC,NRC (National
Response Center), and USPS will all be contacted.
• WOAH THIS IS A SERIOUS THREAT!
 Healthcare employees
• Healthcare workers risk occupational exposures to
ricin when a healthcare facility receives
contaminated patients.
• These healthcare facility employees, who may be
termed first receivers, work at a site remote from the
location where the hazardous substance release
occurred.
• This means that their exposures are limited to the
substances transported to the healthcare facility on
victims skin, hair, clothing, or personal effects.
 Be prepared
• The best way to be prepared in a incident of
ricin is for everyone involved to have
knowledge and information.
• Have a plan!
 Treating those exposed to ricin
• Remember, there is no existing antidote.
• Provide supportive medical care to minimize the effects.
• Type of supportive care is dependent on the route of
exposure and the degree of cellular disruption.
• Assist with breathing
• IV fluids
• Flush stomach
• Medications for seizures, blood pressure and pain
• Nutritional support
 Possible nursing diagnosis
• Ineffective Breathing Pattern
• Impaired Gas Exchange
• Risk for Aspiration
• Risk for Decreased Cardiac Output
• Risk for Deficient Fluid Volume
• Nausea
• Acute pain
• Anxiety
• Impaired Comfort
• Fear
• Knowledge Deficit
• Risk for Social Isolation
• And the list goes on
 The good news
• Ricin is classified as a Category B agent, which
means it can result in moderate morbidity rates
and low mortality rates.
• There is a good chance of survival!
• If death occurs it usually takes place within36-72
hours after exposure, depending on the route
and amount of the toxin victim is exposed to.
• Recovery rate increases greatly after surviving
five days.
 Reference
• http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/ricin/facts.asp
• https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ershdb/Emergenc
yResponseCard_29750002.html
• https://www.ready.gov/biological-threats
• https://www.medicinenet.com/ricin/article.ht
m
• emergency.cdc.gov/agent/ricin/pdf/ricin_prot
ocol.pdf