What Is Ricin?

• Ricin is a poison that can be made from the waste left over from processing castor beans.

 
Castor Bean Plant

• It can be in the form of a powder, a mist, or a pellet, or it can be dissolved in water or weak acid.
   
• It is a stable substance. For example, it is not affected much by extreme conditions such as very hot or very cold temperatures.

National Terror Alert Resource & Information Center 2003

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