Poisons: from natural toxins to man-made chemicals

Ricin - You are probably familiar with castor oil, but did you know that this deadly poison is also extracted from the same plant? It works by preventing protein synthesis, stopping enzymes from being produced. It can take up to a day for symptoms to appear if ingested, but these would take less time to appear if ricin was inhaled or injected.

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Ricin - Ricin became famous in the late 1970s for being used in the assassination of Bulgarian dissident writer Georgi Markov in London. It's also known to have been used by terrorists, who mailed it to American politicians.

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Sarin -

Sarin was developed as a chemical weapon during World War II. It attacks the nervous system and death occurs by asphyxia, caused by the body's inability to control the muscles used in breathing.

Considered a weapon of mass destruction, sarin is known for being 26 times more deadly than cyanide. Its production has been prohibited since the 1990s, but until recently, attacks using this toxic gas have been made, particularly in the Middle East.

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VX -

This synthetic chemical compound was developed in the UK for chemical warfare. VX is short for "venomous agent X," and was also assigned the code name Purple Possum. Symptoms emerge in just a few minutes after exposure to VX. These will eventually lead to death from respiratory failure.

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VX -

VX was also responsible for the death of 6,000 sheep, in a 1968 incident known as the Skull Valley sheep kill. The incident was connected to US Army chemical and biological warfare programs.

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Poison dart frog - These brightly colored frogs, also known as arrow poison frogs, have a powerful batrachotoxin. This poison is both a neurotoxin and a cardiotoxin, which means that it will cause paralysis and make the heart stop.

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Poison dart frog -

The poison found in the skin of these frogs has been used by Amazon rain forest tribes for millennia. The poison is traditionally used to coat hunting darts.

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Polonium - Polonium is a highly radioactive chemical element. In its most common form, Polonium-210, it's about 250,000 times more toxic than hydrogen cyanide.

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Polonium - Polonium was used in the homicide of Russian ex-KGB and ex-FSB dissident Alexander Litvinenko in 2006. High concentrations of polonium were also found on Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's clothes following his death in 2004.

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Botulinum toxin (BTX) -

This toxin is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It causes botulism, a potentially deadly disease contracted following the ingestion of food contaminated with the bacteria. BTX is currently the most acutely lethal poisonous substance known to man.

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Botulinum toxin (BTX) - This deadly neurotoxic protein is actually used in a very popular health and beauty product around the world: Botox.

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Tetradotoxin - Also known as TTX, this neurotoxin essentially kills by paralysis. Many animals contain this poison, including puffer fishes, some octopuses, flatworms, and toads.

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Tetradotoxin - The puffer fish is used in the Japanese dish fugu. This delicacy can actually kill you if the parts of the fish containing the toxin are not carefully removed.

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Amatoxin - This poison is found in several mushrooms. Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) for instance, is known for its unpredictable symptoms, which may include psychoactive effects. Although death by ingestion is not common, it is possible.

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Amatoxin - The popular red and white mushroom is commonly depicted in pop culture. From The Smurfs, to Super Mario Bros., and the classic Alice in Wonderland.

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Brodifacoum - Brodifacoum is a potent anticoagulant. It works as a vitamin K antagonist and leads to coagulopathy. It causes internal bleeding, and ultimately, death.

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Brodifacoum - Brodifacoum is commonly used as rat poison, but if you touch it, it can stay in your body for months!

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Hydrofluoric acid (HF) - Hydrofluoric acid is highly corrosive. In fact, it can even dissolve glass! It interferes with the body's calcium metabolism, causing extreme burns and bone damage.

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Hydrofluoric acid (HF) - The full range of symptoms may not show up immediately, which usually delays treatment. It can lead to cardiac arrest if it gets into the bloodstream, and can eventually lead to death.

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Dimethylmercury - This powerful neurotoxin can lead to severe mercury poisoning if it penetrates the skin. Symptoms can take months to appear!

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Dimethylmercury -

The scary thing is that Dimethylmercury can permeate a number of materials, including rubber and plastic. So, even latex gloves won't stop you from getting poisoned.

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Methanol -

Methanol can be found in contaminated beverages or products, and in poor ventilated areas. Even small doses can lead to serious health consequences, and only 30 ml of this substance can cause death.

Poisons: from natural toxins to man-made chemicals

Deadly substances to avoid

09/01/25 | StarsInsider

HEALTH Toxic

There are many substances on our planet capable of killing humans, and some in a very short period of time. Some of these poisons have become infamous throughout history, while others are not as popular—but can be equally as deadly.

In this gallery, you will find some of the most dangerous poisons on the planet. Click through to reveal them.