How deadly is ricin?
Ricin is reported to be one of the most deadly toxins known to man, and amounts in the micrograms can be fatal. It is theorised that if one molceule of ricin enters a cell in the body, it can shut down protein synthesis and destroy the cell entirely.The slightly worry prospect is that it does not seem very difficult to get hold of or produce naturally and if it was to enter say a water supply in a hydrostable state, 1 part per a few million of the water would make it deadly to humansA different opinion...Ricin, a product of castor beans, in indeed a serious toxin, but I don't think I'd go as far as saying it's one of the deadliest known to man (that's where I'd out cesium plutonium, botulina toxin, &c.). The LD 50 for humans is 22mcg/Kg, which is a Lot more than one molecule of toxin. This toxin does not survive the treatment potable water gets in water treatment plants, and as such is not a serious NBC threat.