A Southport man has pleaded guilty to murder and possessing ricin, a deadly toxin, raising questions about its dangers and effects.
He also admitted to making ricin, a super dangerous poison, and having a document that could help someone commit terrorism. This document was a PDF about military tactics, which he had for a while.
The ricin and the document were found at his family home in Banks, Lancashire. His parents are originally from Rwanda, which adds another layer to this tragic tale.
Rudakubana is set to be sentenced soon, and people are left wondering about the poison he had. So, what exactly is ricin?
Ricin comes from castor beans, and it’s no joke. If someone chews and swallows these beans, they can get really sick. It can be made into different forms, like powder or mist, and it’s super toxic.
Once inside the body, ricin messes with cells, stopping them from making proteins. Without those proteins, cells die, and that can lead to serious health issues or even death.
If someone breathes it in, symptoms can show up in just a few hours. If ingested, it might take less than ten hours to feel the effects.
Unfortunately, there’s no antidote for ricin. The best course of action is to get medical help fast and try to wash it off.
The mortality rate can be high, especially if someone doesn’t get help quickly. But if a person survives the first five days, their chances of recovery improve significantly.
Ricin is part of the waste produced when making castor oil, which is used in various products. But castor beans themselves are not safe to eat.
This whole situation is a stark reminder of how dangerous ricin can be and why it’s crucial to stay informed about such threats.
