There are many poisons in the world of different nature. Some of them act almost instantly, others can torment the victim of poisoning for years, slowly destroying him from the inside. True, the concept of poison has no clear boundaries. It all depends on concentration. And often the same substance can act both as a deadly poison and as one of the most necessary components for maintaining life. A striking example Vitamins are such a duality - even a slight excess of their concentration can completely destroy health or kill on the spot.
Here we propose to take a look at 10 substances that are classified as pure poisons, and are among the most dangerous and fast-acting.
Cyanide
Cyanides are a fairly large group of hydrocyanic acid salts. They are all, like the acid itself, extremely poisonous. In the last century, both hydrocyanic acid and cyanogen chloride were used as chemical warfare agents and were responsible for tens of thousands of deaths.
Potassium cyanide also famous for its extreme toxicity. Just 200-300 mg of this white powder, which resembles granulated sugar in appearance, is enough to kill an adult in just a few seconds. Thanks to such a small dosage and incredibly quick death, this poison was chosen to kill Adolf Hitler, Joseph Goebbels, Hermann Goering and other Nazis.
They tried to poison Grigory Rasputin with this poison. True, the senders mixed cyanide into sweet wine and cakes, not knowing that sugar is one of the most powerful antidotes for this poison. So in the end they had to use the gun.
Bacillus anthrax
Anthrax is a very serious, rapidly developing disease caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. There are several forms anthrax. The most “harmless” one is the skin one. Even without treatment, the mortality rate from this form does not exceed 20%. Intestinal form kills about half of those sick, but the pulmonary form is almost certain death. Even with the latest treatment methods modern doctors no more than 5% of patients can be saved.
Sarin
Sarin was created by German scientists trying to synthesize a powerful pesticide. But this deadly poison, which causes quick but very painful death, acquired its dark fame not in agricultural fields, but as a chemical weapon. Sarin was produced by the ton for military purposes for decades, and it was only in 1993 that its production was banned. But despite calls for the complete destruction of all stocks of this substance, both terrorists and the military still use it in our time.
Amatoxins
Amatoxins are a whole group of protein poisons contained in poisonous mushrooms of the amanita family, including the deadly toadstool. The particular danger of these poisons lies in their “slowness”. Once they enter the human body, they immediately begin their destructive activity, but the victim begins to feel the first discomfort no earlier than 10 hours later, and sometimes several days later, when it is already very difficult for doctors to do anything. Even if such a patient can be saved, he will still suffer for the rest of his life from painful dysfunctions of the liver, kidneys and lungs.
Strychnine
Strychnine is found in large quantities in nuts tropical tree chilibuha. It was from them that it was obtained in 1818 by the French chemists Pelletier and Cavantou. In small doses, strychnine can be used as a medicine that increases metabolic processes, improves heart function and treats paralysis. It was even actively used as an antidote for barbiturate poisoning.
However, it is one of the most powerful poisons. Its lethal dose is even less than the famous potassium cyanide, but it acts much more slowly. Death from strychnine poisoning occurs after about half an hour of terrible agony and severe convulsions.
Mercury
Mercury is extremely dangerous in all its manifestations, but its vapors and soluble compounds cause especially great harm. Even small amounts of mercury entering the body cause severe damage to the nervous system, liver, kidneys and the entire gastrointestinal tract.
When small amounts of mercury enter the body, the process of poisoning occurs gradually, but inevitably, since this poison is not eliminated, but rather accumulates. In ancient times, mercury was widely used for the production of mirrors, as well as felt for hats. Chronic poisoning with mercury vapor, expressed in behavioral disorders up to complete insanity, was at that time called “the old hatter’s disease.”
Tetrodotoxin
This extremely strong poison is found in the liver, milk and caviar of the famous puffer fish, as well as in the skin and caviar of some species of tropical frogs, octopuses, crabs and in the caviar of the Californian newt. Europeans first became acquainted with the effects of this poison in 1774, when the crew on James Cook's ship ate an unknown tropical fish, and the slops from the dinner were given to the ship's pigs. By morning, all the people were seriously ill, and the pigs died.
Tetrodotoxin poisoning is very serious, and even today doctors manage to save less than half of all those poisoned.
It is interesting to note that the famous Japanese delicacy fugu fish is prepared from fish that contains the most dangerous toxin exceeds lethal doses for humans. Lovers of this treat literally entrust their lives to the art of the cook. But no matter how hard the chefs try, accidents cannot be avoided, and every year several gourmets die after feasting on a delicious dish.
Ricin
Ricin is an extremely powerful poison of plant origin. Great danger represents the inhalation of its smallest grains. Ricin is about 6 times more powerful poison than potassium cyanide, but as a weapon mass destruction it was not used due to purely technical difficulties. But various intelligence services and terrorists are very fond of this substance. Politicians and public figures with enviable regularity they receive letters stuffed with ricin. True, it rarely comes to this fatal outcome, since the penetration of ricin through the lungs is quite low. For a 100% result, ricin must be injected directly into the blood.
Vi-Ex (VX)
VX, or, as it is also called, VI gas, belongs to the category of chemical warfare gases that have a nerve-paralytic effect. It was also born as a new pesticide, but soon the military began to use it for their own purposes. Symptoms of poisoning with this gas appear within 1 minute after inhalation or contact with the skin, and death occurs within 10-15 minutes.
Botulism toxin
Botulinum toxin is produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which are the causative agents of the most dangerous disease - botulism. This is the most powerful poison of organic nature and one of the strongest poisons in the world. In the last century, botulinum toxin was part of the arsenals of chemical weapons, but at the same time, active research was conducted regarding its use in medicine. And today great amount people who want to at least temporarily restore the smoothness of their skin experience the influence of this the most terrible poison, which is part of the most popular medicinal product“Botox”, which once again confirms the validity of the famous saying of the great Paracelsus: “Everything is poison, everything is medicine; both are determined by the dose.”
Poisons have been used from ancient times to the present day as weapons, antidotes, and even medicine.
In fact, poisons are found all around us, in drinking water, in household items and even in our blood.
The word "poison" is used to describe any substance that can cause a dangerous disorder in the body.
Even in small quantities, the poison can lead to poisoning and death.
Here are some examples of some of the most insidious poisons that can be fatal to humans.
1. Botulinum toxin
Many poisons can be lethal in small doses, so it is quite difficult to single out the most dangerous one. However, many experts agree that botulinum toxin, which is used in Botox injections to smooth out wrinkles is the strongest.
Botulism is a serious disease leading to paralysis, caused by botulinum toxin, which is produced by bacteria Clostridium botulinum. This poison causes damage to the nervous system, respiratory arrest and death in terrible agony.
Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, double vision, facial weakness, speech impediments, difficulty swallowing and others. The bacterium can enter the body through food (usually poorly canned foods) and through open wounds.
2. Poison ricin
Ricin is natural poison obtained from castor beans castor bean plants. A few grains are enough to kill an adult. Ricin kills cells in the human body, preventing it from producing the proteins it needs, resulting in organ failure. A person can become poisoned by ricin through inhalation or ingestion.
If inhaled, symptoms of poisoning usually appear within 8 hours of exposure and include difficulty breathing, fever, cough, nausea, sweating and chest tightness.
If ingested, symptoms appear in less than 6 hours and include nausea and diarrhea (possibly bloody), low blood pressure, hallucinations and seizures. Death may occur within 36-72 hours.
3. Sarin gas
Sarin is one of the the most dangerous and deadly nerve gases, which is hundreds of times more toxic than cyanide. Sarin was originally produced as a pesticide, but the clear, odorless gas soon became a powerful chemical weapon.
A person can be poisoned by sarin gas by inhaling or exposing the gas to the eyes and skin. Initially, symptoms may appear such as runny nose and chest tightness, difficulty breathing and nausea.
Then the person loses control over all functions of his body and falls into a coma, convulsions and spasms occur until suffocation occurs.
4. Tetrodotoxin
This deadly poison found in the organs of fish of the genus pufferfish, from which the famous Japanese delicacy "fugu" is prepared. Tetrodotoxin persists in the skin, liver, intestines and other organs, even after the fish has been cooked.
This toxin causes paralysis, convulsions, mental disorder and other symptoms. Death occurs within 6 hours after ingestion of the poison.
Every year, several people are known to die painful deaths from tetrodotoxin poisoning after eating fugu.
5. Potassium cyanide
Potassium cyanide is one of the fastest deadly poisons known to mankind. It may be in the form of crystals and colorless gas with a bitter almond odor. Cyanide can be found in some foods and plants. It is found in cigarettes and is used to make plastic, photographs, extract gold from ore, and kill unwanted insects.
Cyanide has been used since ancient times, and in modern world he was the way death penalty. Poisoning can occur through inhalation, ingestion and even touching, causing symptoms such as convulsions, respiratory failure and in severe cases death, which may occur in a few minutes. It kills by binding to iron in blood cells, making them unable to carry oxygen.
6. Mercury and mercury poisoning
There are three forms of mercury that can be potentially hazardous: elemental, inorganic and organic. Elemental mercury, which found in mercury thermometers, old fillings and fluorescent lamps, non-toxic on contact, but may be fatal if inhaled.
Inhalation of mercury vapor (the metal quickly turns into a gas at room temperature) affects the lungs and brain, turning off the central nervous system.
Inorganic mercury, which is used to make batteries, can be fatal if ingested and cause kidney damage and other symptoms. Organic mercury found in fish and seafood is usually hazardous over long-term exposure. Symptoms of poisoning may include memory loss, blindness, seizures and others.
7. Strychnine and strychnine poisoning
Strychnine is an odorless, white, bitter crystalline powder that can be acquired by ingestion, inhalation, solution, and intravenous injection.
They receive it from the seeds of the chilibuha tree(Strychnos nux-vomica), native to India and southeast Asia. Although it is often used as a pesticide, it can also be found in narcotic substances such as heroin and cocaine.
The degree of strychnine poisoning depends on the amount and route of entry into the body, but a small amount of this poison is enough to cause a serious condition. Symptoms of poisoning include muscle spasms, respiratory failure and even lead to brain death 30 minutes after exposure.
8. Arsenic and arsenic poisoning
Arsenic, which is the 33rd element in the periodic table, has been synonymous with poison since ancient times. It was often used as a poison of choice in political assassinations, as Arsenic poisoning resembled cholera symptoms.
Arsenic is considered a heavy metal with properties similar to those of lead and mercury. In high concentrations it can lead to symptoms of poisoning such as abdominal pain, seizures, coma and death. In small amounts, it can contribute to a number of diseases, including cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
9. Poison curare
Curare is a mixture of various South American plants that were used for poison arrows. Curare has been used for medicinal purposes in a highly diluted form. The main poison is an alkaloid, which causes paralysis and death, as well as strychnine and hemlock. However, after respiratory paralysis occurs, the heart may continue to beat.
Death from curare is slow and painful, as the victim remains conscious but cannot move or speak. However, if artificial respiration is applied before the poison settles, the person can be saved. Amazon tribes used curare to hunt animals, but the poisoned animal meat was not dangerous to those who consumed it.
10. Batrachotoxin
Fortunately, the chances of encountering this poison are very small. Batrachotoxin, found in the skin of tiny dart frogs, is one of the most powerful neurotoxins in the world.
Frogs themselves do not produce poison; it is accumulated from the foods they consume, mainly small bugs. The most dangerous content poison was discovered in a species of frog terrible leaf climber, living in Colombia.
One specimen contains enough batrachotoxin to kill two dozen people or several elephants. I affects nerves, especially around the heart, makes breathing difficult and quickly leads to death.
It is difficult to determine the most powerful poison. This definition includes any substance that provokes serious pathological changes in the body. Poisons act in different ways. Some slowly and imperceptibly bring a person to a critical point, others cause unbearable pain.
You can predict the effect and take measures to eliminate serious consequences by finding out the exact cause of the poisoning. There is an antidote for each toxic substance.
Poisonous chemical origin
The most dangerous poisons are developed by humans. Not all were created as chemical warfare agents; for example, sarin was created as a result of the synthesis of pesticides. Its production stopped in the 90s of the 20th century.
The existing reserves were not destroyed, so this poison is used by terrorists and the military. This deadly gas is odorless and colorless and inhaling it can cause chest tightness, nausea, nasal discharge, respiratory failure, spasms, convulsions and coma. As a result, the person loses control of his own body and dies from suffocation.
Widely known Negative influence hydrocyanic acid and substances that contain it. Even a small dose can cause death.
The effects of the white powder, which is highly toxic, are blocked by glucose. Contact with this gaseous substance causes seizures and respiratory failure.
Death occurs due to the binding of gas molecules to hemoglobin. Oxygen does not reach internal organs, and the person simply suffocates.
Another type of poison is methyl alcohol. It is often confused with ethanol. Because of this, people who abuse counterfeit alcohol die due to intoxication. If rescue measures are taken on time, the likelihood of death will be significantly reduced. There is a high risk of complete loss of vision.
V-Ex is considered one of the most dangerous poisons. This gas is used as a chemical weapon of mass destruction. To penetrate the body, inhalation for a few minutes or short contact with the skin is sufficient.
A fast-acting remedy leads to death in just a quarter of an hour.
Don't forget about mercury and arsenic. The first slowly poisons the body, causing partial dysfunction of the central nervous system and subsequent mental disorder. Everyone's vitals suffer from the effects of this metal. important organs. Vapors and soluble mercury compounds are formed already at room temperature, so you need to be careful when using a thermometer.
It is impossible to imagine a list of “The most powerful poisons” without arsenic. 33 element Periodic table Mendeleev has been used as a poison for centuries.
Symptoms of intoxication are similar to the clinical manifestations of cholera. It is possible to provoke chemical poisoning through potassium chloride. This substance is intended to fertilize the earth, but its penetration into the body is fraught with sudden cardiac arrest.
Plant substances
Some biological components are also dangerous; such poisons are presented in no less variety than synthetic ones. You can cause death using chilibuja nuts. Of these they receive one of the most known poisons– strychnine.
Severe intoxication is accompanied by convulsions that lead to death. This substance is used in small quantities in the treatment of paralysis and to accelerate metabolic metabolism.
A dangerous poison called ricin is produced from castor beans. It is several times stronger than potassium cyanide, but due to technical difficulties it cannot be used as a weapon of mass destruction.
The outcome of poisoning directly depends on the method of penetration of the toxic substance into the body.
If inhaled, death is unlikely, but if even a few grains enter the bloodstream, there is practically no chance of a favorable outcome.
Among plant poisons The most famous is curare. It was prepared based on herbs growing in the area South America. Death caused by this substance is very painful. The person gradually dies from paralysis of the respiratory system, remaining fully conscious but unable to move.
Poisons produced by representatives of the animal world
The world around us is full of dangers from which people are not immune. Often culinary preferences become the cause of his disability or even death. Fugu dishes are quite popular in Japan due to their “extreme” nature.
Due to the slightest mistake in the cooking process, the visitor can be poisoned. A similar reaction is explained by tetrodotoxin. It is found in the organs of puffer fish, skin and caviar. aquatic life living in the tropics.
Neurotoxins, particularly batrachotoxin, are present in the skin of amphibians from Colombia. Their body does not produce poison. It is formed as a result of dart frogs eating their normal food. The toxic substance “kills” the nervous system and causes respiratory failure.
To tropical fish and frogs you can add snakes and spiders. There are 250 species of poisonous snakes recorded in nature. Unfortunately, there is no universal anti-snake serum. To administer the necessary antidote, you need to know what type of animal attacked.
Intoxication occurs when poison enters the bloodstream. A similar effect is caused by the penetration of chiriquitotoxin (chiriqui toad), alpha-latrotoxin (karakurt spider) into the body.
Pathogenic microflora
Poisoning can be caused by poisons produced by pathogenic microorganisms, including:
- Bacteria Clostridium botulinum. They cause botulism, a toxic infectious disease that damages the central and peripheral parts of the nervous system.
- Anthrax bacilli. There are two forms of development: intestinal and cutaneous. The first type of pathology leads to death in 95% of cases. With the second, 80% of patients survive.
- Rods of the genus Clostridium. These are the causative agents of tetanus. Infection occurs when damp soil gets into an open wound. Characteristic symptoms include convulsive syndrome, respiratory and heart failure, and impaired swallowing reflex. In the absence of timely treatment, the likelihood of death is high.
The risk of intoxication of the body increases when consuming spoiled food. For example, if the storage conditions for potatoes are not met, solanine accumulates in them. Even bread can be poisonous if cereals infected with ergot were ground during the production of flour.
Poisonous mushrooms
The most common poisons are amatoxins.
They are part of fly agarics and pale toadstools. The first signs of poisoning may appear after 10-12 hours. Such slowness is fraught with serious complications.
First aid is provided too late, so it is impossible to prevent the negative impact on internal organs. This will subsequently have a negative impact on your overall health.
10 fastest-acting toxic substances
There are several classifications of poisons. The defining characteristic is the minimum dose that can cause death.
The top ten included only natural substances:
- Diamphotoxin has the greatest toxic power. It is produced in the body of the larva of the leaf beetle of the genus Diamphidia. Its distribution area is in South Africa. The most dangerous poison can disrupt the electrolyte balance and greatly reduce the level of hemoglobin in the blood. The dose may not exceed 0.000025 mg/kg.
- The action of a cytotoxic poison called palytoxin becomes fatal at a dosage of 0.00015 mg/kg. It is formed as a result of vital activity coral polyps Palythoa toxica, P. Сaribacorum.
- Batrachotoxin is found in the skin of dart frogs of the genus Phyllobates. The lethal rate is 0.002 mg/kg.
- Typotoxin is produced by the Australian taipan. At least 0.002 mg/kg of snake venom must enter the blood.
- Tetrodotoxin poisoning can occur from eating improperly prepared puffer fish. The critical dose is 0.008 mg/kg.
- Titutoxin is the venom of the yellow scorpion. A rapid lethal outcome is possible even when 0.009 mg/kg penetrates the body.
- Chiriquitotoxin is found in the skin of toads belonging to Atelopus chiriquiensis. The lethal dose is 0.01 mg/kg.
- Alpha-conotoxin is found in a substance secreted by the mollusk Conus geographus. The minimum sufficient amount is 0.012 mg/kg.
- Alpha-latrotoxin is produced by the Latrodectus spider (black widow). Death occurs from 0.045 mg/kg.
- Neurotoxin II is produced by the Central Asian cobra. The lethal dose is 0.085 mg/kg.
List hazardous substances does not end after listing these poisons.
Be careful, do not take unfamiliar drugs and do not touch animals if you are not sure of the safety of your plan. If poison gets inside, be sure to call an ambulance. Delay costs lives.
Poisons include substances that can cause dangerous disorders in the body. They can contribute to the development of poisoning, diseases, and pathological conditions leading to human death. Today, there are many different types of toxins and poisons, differing in origin, strength of influence and other characteristics.
Poisons and toxic substances are usually divided into several main groups depending on their properties. Usually, most All toxic substances known to mankind can be classified into one of several groups, among which there are natural toxins, local and systemic poisons.
A separate list of names of poisons also includes the most deadly toxins for humans, which include botulinum toxin, diamphotoxin, ricin, titutoxin, tetrodotoxin and some other substances.
The peculiarity of systemic poisons is that they damage the entire organ system or affect some of them. This occurs due to the transport function of blood, which in a short period of time “carries” toxic substance to all key organs (such as the brain and heart).
Cyanide, or potassium cyanide
This inorganic poison has become widely known among people due to the fact that when poisoned with this substance, death occurs very quickly. Potassium cyanide is obtained from (since it is its salt), which, in turn, is also a potent toxin.
Cyanide is used in a wide variety of areas:
- In the mining industry and for steel production (for cyanidation of steel).
- IN jewelry for gilding, silvering and degreasing, as well as for other galvanic processes. Ammonium cyanide (CA) can also be used for these purposes.
- Cyanide can be used to create some rare artistic paints (such as Prussian blue or milori).
- In the fight against rodents and insects (such as wasps).
When it enters the human body, the poison blocks the cellular enzyme - cytochrome c oxidase, which leads to oxygen starvation of cells and their rapid death. The functioning of internal organs ceases, after which death occurs.
In general, the symptoms are very similar to suffocation, in which a person experiences an acute lack of oxygen. You should know that sugar (more precisely, glucose) converts the cyanide substance into cyanohydrin, which is much less dangerous to human health than potassium cyanide.
Strychnine (indole alkaloid)
In medicine it is known as strychnine nitrate, or nitrate salt. This is used in minute concentrations to provide an analeptic (revitalizing) effect:
- Thanks to this, the digestive function of the stomach and intestines improves.
- Blood pressure, respiratory rate, and heart rate increase.
- Muscle tone appears, and lethargy and fatigue are relieved. In some cases, psychostimulants that contain strychnine can be prescribed for paralysis or paresis (incomplete paralysis).
- The bladder sphincter is strengthened, which leads to the elimination of urinary incontinence (particularly in children).
- Color vision, hearing and smell are enhanced.
In case of strychnine poisoning, involuntary convulsions will be among the first symptoms. Nagging pains appear throughout the body. At the same time, the toxin begins to have a destructive effect on the psyche: a sensation of goose bumps appears, everything begins to irritate, even the slightest noise.
With further poisoning, a person feels unable to relax his muscles - his arms and legs become elongated, like sticks, and the intensity of convulsions becomes increasingly higher. Such symptoms are accompanied by severe pain and panic.
A dose of 0.005 g is enough for the poison to begin its effect. When the concentration of the substance increases to 0.05 g, death from suffocation occurs. Strychnine has no antidote; To neutralize its effect, it is necessary to cleanse the stomach with tannins.
Barbituric acid preparations
In other words, barbiturates, which include such well-known drugs as chloroform and chloral hydrate. Also among these drugs are huge number various sleeping pills and sedatives. Not all of them can cause death - unless the dose is exceeded by more than 10 times.
However, among the fast-acting barbiturates, there are some types that can cause respiratory arrest. An example of such a drug is pentobarbital (trade name Nembutal), which is used in Switzerland, the Netherlands and some states as a means of euthanasia.
This drug is used as a potent sleeping pill and also for anesthesia; Sleep occurs approximately 30 minutes after taking pentobarbital. If the dose is violated, the medicine turns into poison, the effect of which reduces the force of heart contractions, after which a gradual attenuation of the pulse occurs.
This list of poisons includes all toxic substances, which act necrotizing, cauterizing and irritating on the skin and mucous membrane. This can also include caustic vapors and gases, as well as many types of chemical weapons.
Another name for such toxic substances is local poisons. Unlike the previous group, some of them are capable of injuring people without even entering the body (for example, liquid mustard gas).
However, most often poisoning with such substances occurs in chemical production, in particular, in many plants and factories that produce goods household chemicals. Most available poisons belong exactly to this category.
Mercury and arsenic poisoning
There are many household and medical sources of mercury, which can lead to poisoning from its vapors. For example, some mercury thermometers contain about two grams of mercury; individual species fluorescent lamps can contain several tens of milligrams. Mercury lamps are no exception.
In medicine, they try to replace mercury with less harmful analogues, however, it can still be found in vaccines (using mercury-containing substances). Mercury poisoning causes the following symptoms:
- Severe and cutting pain in the abdominal area.
- Headache and temporal pain.
- Increased salivation; It becomes difficult to swallow, as there is a feeling of a swollen throat.
- The occurrence of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (sometimes with bloody mucus).
- A cough and chills may begin.
If left untreated, death occurs within a few days. For treatment acute forms poisoning, the patient is hospitalized; in moderate forms, outpatient treatment is prescribed. One of the “oldest” is egg white (in raw form).
The effect of arsenic on the human body has much in common with mercury poisoning: symptoms also include headaches, vomiting and acute diarrhea; but the rate of poisoning of the body is different.
When mercury enters the body, it does not manifest itself in any way during the first hour or two; the effect of arsenic, as a rule, becomes noticeable within a few minutes (in the case of acute intoxication). In case of minor poisoning, a metallic taste appears in the mouth and tinnitus occurs.
As first aid, the antidote Unithiol is injected into the muscle; if it is not there, then the patient is given a glass of water mixed with table vinegar (one or two tablespoons) to drink. You can add a few grams of tartaric or citric acid to the water.
Caustic acids and alkalis
A striking example of such substances is sulfuric acid. Almost everyone has heard that getting this solution on the skin will leave long-healing ulcers and severe chemical burns. In addition to the skin, acid can affect the respiratory tract, leading to laryngitis, bronchitis and other diseases.
No less dangerous is nitric acid, which, when it enters the human body, causes terrible headaches and pulmonary edema; the toxic fumes of this substance can very quickly deprive a person of his vision. Chronic “micro-poisoning” (if safety precautions are not followed at a chemical plant, for example) over time lead to the destruction of tooth enamel, as well as complex damage to internal organs.
Hydrofluoric acid, or hydrofluoric acid, is so caustic that it can burn through glass surfaces. This substance is especially dangerous because initial contact with the skin does not cause severe pain in a person, and the longer the acid is on any surface, the more damage it causes. As first aid, you should immediately wash the affected area of the body and call an ambulance.
Alkalis, along with acids, can cause no less harm to human health. The most caustic and dangerous are sodium hydroxide, caustic ammonium, lithium hydroxide, and potassium alkali. Each of these species is extremely dangerous if it comes into contact with the skin and respiratory tract. Therefore, you should be very careful when working with concentrated alkalis and acids.
Tabun, Zarin, Soman
All three toxic substances belong to chemical weapons nerve-paralytic action. The most powerful of them is Soman, which is more than twice as toxic as Sarin and Tabun. These substances are used in gaseous form, sprayed over a potential enemy from the air using chemical warheads.
Intoxication with these gases manifests itself in symptoms such as severe dizziness, loss of coordination between movements, shortness of breath and severe chest pain, loss of consciousness, as well as death (which occurs within one minute at a concentration of the substance of 0.075 mg/l).
Sarin and Soman gases do not have a specific odor; in this regard, they can only be detected based on the initial symptoms, which manifest themselves in lacrimation, cough and headache. There are effective antidotes (for example, Atropine), the effectiveness of which depends on the degree of damage. In severe cases, death can occur within minutes.
It cannot be said that such chemicals are the most dangerous poisons in the world, since the probability of being poisoned by them in everyday life is quite small for the average person (if, again, he is not a chemist). However, after the terrorist attack in the Tokyo subway, where 8 people died from sarin poisoning, it is obvious that one should be prepared for anything.
These types of poisons do not always lead to tragedies, but this does not make them any less dangerous or toxic. Some sources of such toxins grow right under human feet, while other varieties are produced by animals, insects and fruit trees.
It is thanks to these “natural gifts” that almost every person knows that it is better not to put some berries in the mouth. If poisoning occurs, then, in most cases, the victim is pumped out and treated; Deaths are relatively rare, but they do happen.
Toadstools, fly agarics and false honey mushrooms
Mushrooms contain a lot of different microelements and substances; Some of them (like those listed above) remain very harmful and dangerous for humans during heat treatment. It is enough to eat 30 grams of toadstool to occupy the toilet for a long time. Characteristic symptoms also include a decrease in pulse, the appearance of severe thirst and frequent loss of consciousness.
Poisonous mushrooms, if not treated promptly, lead to death, especially if a person already suffers from serious illnesses such as hepatitis. Some types of fly agaric can cause hallucinations; however, this occurs only after severe intoxication of the body.
Black widow (karakurt)
The CIS region is definitely lucky in terms of the absence on its territory of many poisonous snakes, insects and spiders, the bites of which can easily kill a person. Karakurt is a spider, 10-20 mm in size, whose venom contains natural neurotoxins.
When bitten by such a spider, a person experiences burning and severe pain in the chest and abdomen, after which the heartbeat increases. After 15 minutes, vomiting and headache may occur, leading to blackouts and delirium.
If a special serum is not administered to the patient, the likelihood of death or irreparable harm to health increases. An example of such a serum is novocaine, as well as sodium hydrogen sulfate.
Wolf's bast (wolfberry)
Eating beautiful-looking berries can lead to severe intestinal damage. As a rule, children suffer from such poisoning, who can pick the fruits of the wolfberry simply out of curiosity.
The clinical picture of poisoning is similar to mushroom poisoning: abdominal pain, nausea, severe diarrhea and weakness of the body. The difference is that the consumption of wolfberry, as a rule, is not widespread; Children usually swallow no more than one or two berries, so deaths much less than that of mushrooms.
For first aid, all the actions that are taken in case of emergency must be carried out. food poisoning, that is, taking sorbents, gastric lavage, diet and bed rest.
There are two types of rat baits: food (non-toxic) - for luring rats into a trap, and poisonous - for killing rodents. Food baits can be used for all types of rat traps, and poisons are most often used in conjunction with special stations for safety reasons. In this review, we will tell you about the 5 best poisons for rats and mice from 11 to 65 dollars.
After ingesting poison, rodents die within a few hours to several weeks. Mice are smaller than rats and can die within a day, but rats die more slowly (a week or two). Poison baits are toxic and can kill any animal, including pets (cats and dogs), squirrels, raccoons and other wild animals. Be careful when using them around your pets and small children. Otherwise, instead of using poisons, you are better off purchasing an ultrasonic pest repeller to safely eliminate the animals that are bothering you.
Poison Ingredients: How Do Rodenticides Really Work?
Rodenticides are toxic to rodents, but, unfortunately, to humans too. All these baits bring death. Therefore, rat poisons are best used in conjunction with stations (like the Protecta LP Rat Bait Station for ~$18.49).
Active ingredients of rodenticides that belong to the group anticoagulants(eg, warfarin, diphasinone, and bromadiolone) interfere with blood clotting, causing severe internal bleeding and ultimately death from them.
All poisons also belong to two different generations.
First generation poisons kill rodents slowly because they have a cumulative effect. For rodents to die, they need to eat the poison for several days, rather than just taste it once. Most rat and mouse baits these days fall into this group.
Second generation poisons(for example, containing bromadiolone, brodifacoum) allow you to kill pests after a single dose of the poison.
Poisons are released both in blocks, pellets and bar form (individually wrapped to help keep the bait fresh and smelly) etc.
- Using poison bait is usually less expensive than trapping because it is less labor intensive and you don't have to check the rats every day. Thus, in large rooms it is more profitable to use poisons.
- You should know that mice and rats can learn to identify baits and avoid them. To prevent this, scientists advise first laying out food bait to lull the vigilance of rodents, and then replacing it with a poisoned one.
- Liquid rat poison works great in dry areas. For example, you can buy Tomcat Mouse and Rat Liquid Concentrated Poison Bait(~$19.87) along with Helland Rodent Liquid Poison Auto Dispenser (~$9.99).
Poisons and animals (cats, dogs)
Attention: There are no rat poisons that are safe for your pets! All poisonous baits are created to kill animals and can also harm cats and dogs. Be very careful: if the poison is swallowed, severe poisoning can occur. If you are concerned about pets, try an alternative method - electronic repellers. To get rid of rats, use only powerful repellers with a large area coverage, for example, Pack of 4 Plug-In Electronic Ultrasonic Repellents from Pest Venator (~$28.98).
User Cesar Rueda from the site warns: “Please be very careful when using bait if you have a dog. She won't be able to get into the bait station, but many rodents have a tendency to pull out and hide bits of poison all over the backyard...”
To prevent your cats or dogs from accidentally eating poison in the yard, you can, for example, attach poison to a strong wire on a fence or hide pieces of a toxic product in places where your pets do not go - and then wait dead rats.
“Just use the poison in garages and attics - ie. in areas where your children and pets would not normally go. It is possible that dying rats or mice will go outside and be eaten by other animals (although if you live in an urban area the likelihood is low compared to countryside), but usually most die near the place where you used the product. After the death of a rodent, it will definitely appear bad smell, that is why poison must be used with caution in places where it will then be difficult to find the corpse and eliminate it.”
Yes, poisons kill rodents. But you don't know where exactly they will die. Dying rodents are looking for a quiet place, and you will be lucky if they manage to get outside. But it is possible that their death will happen right in your house or barn, then an unpleasant surprise awaits you - the smell of dead rats. (If this bothers you, read "How to get rid of the smell of a dead rat").
5 best poisons for rats and mice
Tomcat All Weather Bait Chunx, 4 lb
Tomcat All Weather Bait is easy to use and works against rats, mice, squirrels, voles, raccoons, chipmunks and other rodents that disrupt your routine - tested by Amazon.com customers.
This product is similar to what professional exterminators use along with Protecta Bait Stations (~$14.30), but some people feel that 4 pounds is too much for home use. The product blocks have holes for mounting them onto steel rods in the stations. You can choose any poison station, but we definitely don't recommend using Tomcat without it.
A bucket of bait is enough for a whole season of rat control. Tomcat bait works quickly: many people say that they started finding dead pests the very next day or within the next week or two after starting to use the poison. The duration depends on the size of the rodent population in the room. According to users, such a Tomcat bucket is enough to keep the situation under control even after it seems that the rats have left the room alone: “Once the problem is resolved, I just leave the blocks in place and check them once a month. If a block is eaten or bitten, I replace it immediately. Great thing!”
Remember that rats can take the bait blocks and return with them to their nest, where they will die. Therefore, you may mistakenly think that a product does not work just because you do not see dead rats in your home.
Active Ingredient: Diphasinone
Price: ~$24.46 Check current price
JT Eaton 709-PN Bait Block Rodenticide Anticoagulant Bait For Mice and Rats
First of all, rats love JT Eaton Bait - Amazon customers confirm this. People quietly leave their homes, placing stations with this bait, and upon returning they find completely empty devices. This means that “someone” still eats the poison!
Additionally, users use this product to get rid of gophers and squirrels as well. Again, we recommend not placing poison bait without a station. This is especially important because some users complain that after they simply sprinkled the bait on the floor, the mice did not finish it and walked away, leaving bitten blocks of poison. Your pets may find them, so to be safe, we recommend using a bait station like the Protecta LP Rat Bait Station.
Customers have also noted that JT starts working very quickly - one girl said that the rats in her house began eating the poisonous blocks the first day after laying them out in the basement, and then began to gradually disappear. If you want to break the JT into pieces, for example for storing in hard-to-reach places, this is easy to do, although there is no hole in the center of the block like other brands.
One guy gives valuable advice to other users about using JT: “Be aware that adult rats often test anything unfamiliar (including poison) on young rats. So they check their reaction and decide whether it is possible to eat it.". Find more helpful tips and facts on Amazon.com.
JT Eaton Bait Block Rodenticide is a first generation anticoagulant bait.
Active Ingredient: Diphasinone 0.005%
Price: ~$24.49(144 1 oz Blocks, Peanut Butter Flavor) Check Current Price
Price: ~$27.95(144 1 oz. Blocks, Apple Flavor) Check Current Price
D-Con Ready Mix Baitbits Mice Rats Brodifacoum 3oz (1 Tray)
This is an old and proven rat killer. This package contains 1 bait tray. All you need to do is remove the film covering the tray and place it where the rodents have been spotted.
As noted by Amazon customers, D-Con Rat & Mouse Bait works on mice and rats (especially the dreaded “Norwegian rats”), squirrels and chipmunks. If you want to wipe out the entire population, you need to keep giving them more bait until they all die.
How users respond to the poison: “My husband has been using this brand for several years to kill the rats that tend to live in our attic. You will see that this helps after the first use, but remember that then you need to regularly check the attic and, possibly, remove dead rats from there.”
By the way, users give many other useful tips:
- Usually the activity of mice and rats increases from the beginning of November - be prepared!
- You can mix D-Con with peanut butter to further attract rodents.
- Do not use counteracting rat control methods (such as repellers) while using D-Con Ready Mix Killer. All other means and methods can negatively affect the effectiveness of the bait.
Active Ingredient: Brodifacoum
Price: ~$31.99 Check current price
Farnam Home & Garden Just One Bite II Bar
This rat poison appears as a solid 1 pound block, but is lined so that it can be easily broken into 8 2 ounce pieces. According to users, rats really love to eat Just One Bite bait. It's not just rats - this product also works on mice, chipmunks and squirrels! Buyers noted that the results were immediate: one of them found a dead rat within 12 hours after he laid out the bait.
Users are advised not to lose heart if it seems that it is not working. You may need to use more poison for particularly stubborn mice and rats, or combine Farnam products with classic spring traps or modern electronic traps. At least, users who have already used such an integrated approach were not disappointed.
One customer said he bought this rat poison for $9.02 and left it in a bag in his room. Later he heard rustling and other strange sounds. It turns out that the rodents found the bag with the bait by smell and began gnawing on the contents! “I know that I should have placed the poison in the right places myself, but these creatures beat me to it - it’s fantastic!”, - he said.
You will likely have to dispose of dead rats from your basement and other areas after their death meal. In this case, we also recommend purchasing one of those gadgets that people use to pick up trash, such as the Unger 36-Inch Pick-Up Tool. This thing is extremely useful for removing dead animals from your home.
Active Ingredient: Bromadiolone
Price: ~$9.02 Check current price
Havoc Rat & Mouse Bait
Havoc has a fairly hefty price tag of ~$73.59 for 40 double packs of poison (2 x 50g). This may be expensive for some, but... As shoppers on Amazon.com have noted, there are clear differences between expensive poisons like Havoc and budget ones: “Rodents eat these pellets like crazy and die quickly. It's great that you only need one “rat meal”.
They note that Havoc Bait works great on rats and mice—any time of year, even winter, because of its all-weather formula. This bait also works on moles, someone wrote: “I use this to control moles in the yard and it works great if you know the secrets to using it properly.”
Active Ingredient: Brodifacoum is a second generation anticoagulant rodenticide.
Price: ~$73.59 Check current price
Comparative table of poisons from rats and mice
| Product | Type of poison | Active Ingredient | Speed of action on rodents | Price |
| Tomcat All Weather Bait Chunx, 4 Lb | Small blocks | Diphasinone | ~$24.46 | |
| JT Eaton 709-PN Bait Block Rodenticide Bait | Small blocks | Diphasinone | Kills slowly, requires several meals | from ~$24.49 |
| D-Con Ready Mix Baitbits Mice Rats | Granules | Brodifacoum | ~$31.99 | |
| Farnam Home & Garden Just One Bite Bar | Single block (with the ability to divide into smaller ones) | Bromadiolone | A single dose is enough | ~$9.02 |
| Havoc Rat & Mouse Bait | Granules | Brodifacoum | A single dose is enough | ~$73.59 |
| Protecta LP Rat Bait Station | Bait station | - | - | ~$14.30 |
| Tomcat Mouse and Rat Poison Bait | Liquid poison | Diphasinone sodium salt | Kills slowly, requires several meals | ~$19.62 |
The most frequently asked questions about Havoc Rat & Mice bait
Can I use Havoc inside my home? What's the best way to do this?
Yes, Havoc Rat & Mice Bait can be used indoors. You can either scatter the granules around or simply open the bag and place it where the rats are active.
There are mice in my attic. Can I put bait there? It's quite difficult for me to get into the attic, so I'm afraid that the smell of dead mice will bother my family later.
Unfortunately, the smell will be there in any case, because... not a single bait dehydrates the rodent from the inside (only in this case the smell could be less strong). In a situation like yours, the two most acceptable options are to make the attic entrance more accessible and place poison there, or to use an electronic rat repeller.
What is the shelf life of the product?
You don't have to worry about this: Havoc bait can be stored for up to 4 or 5 years, and such a long storage period will not affect its effectiveness since the bags are securely sealed.
Is it true that Havoc is equally effective on rats and mice?
Yes, in practice, bait attracts and kills both mice and rats equally well.
Attention! You should know that rats and mice are very cunning creatures, so if they see that someone has died from bait, they may refuse such a treat. Therefore, if you see that animals do not eat it, buy another product.
What is the best bait to use for traps?
There are many options to choose from - you simply must know the best way to replace your rodent trap. We remind you that for this you need not poisoned, but food or natural bait! You must choose the best way to lure unwanted neighbors inside the trap. This is a necessary step because if the bait does not attract rats, they will never fall into the trap - and your rat problem will never be solved.
Have you heard of the “great rat eradication”? This is an example of a large campaign aimed at getting rid of rats en masse. We hope that those reading this article have only encountered a small population of rats in the home - and using natural baits in traps will help solve the problem of catching and killing rats.
You can choose any of the following options:
- Peanut butter: it's actually more effective than the cheese we often see in rodent cartoons. Rats are very attracted to peanut butter.
- Chocolate: The sweet smell of chocolate makes mice and rats come out of their shelters to quickly enjoy this treat.
- Bread: plain bread or bread with a little butter on it is very effective as bait.
- Ropes, cotton wool: excellent materials for bait. Rodents use them to strengthen and insulate their nests.
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