10. In tenth place is the venom of the Central Asian cobra (Naja oxiana).
The Central Asian cobra, which reaches a length of 1.5–1.6 m, is distributed in northwestern India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and northeastern Iran. IN Central Asia this snake is found in Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Northern border area - the Nura-Tau ridge and the Bel-Tau-Ata mountains, the western - the spurs of the Turkestan ridge.
The venom of this snake is extremely strong. After the bite, the victim becomes lethargic, but soon the body begins to be shaken by convulsions, breathing quickens, and becomes shallow. Without necessary assistance death occurs within minutes as a result of paralysis respiratory tract.
The main damaging component of the venom is neurotoxin II, the minimum sufficient dose (DL) is 0.085 mg/kg.
9. Ninth place is occupied by the venom of a spider that bears the title of “the most poisonous in the world” - a spider from the karakurt genus (Latrodectus), which is also called the “black widow”.
Karakurts (“black widows”) live in tropical, subtropical and even temperate latitudes on all continents except Antarctica. Only females pose a danger to humans (their body size is up to 2 cm). Males are much smaller (0.5 cm) and are not able to bite through human skin. The toxicity of the poison has a pronounced seasonal dependence: the September one is about ten times more powerful than the May one.
At the moment of a bite, an immediate burning pain is most often felt (in some sources, the bite is painless), which spreads throughout the body within 15–30 minutes. Typically, patients complain of unbearable pain in the abdomen, lower back, and chest. Characterized by sharp tension in the abdominal muscles. Shortness of breath, palpitations, increased heart rate, dizziness, headache, tremor, vomiting, pallor or flushing of the face, sweating, a feeling of heaviness in the chest and epigastric regions, exophthalmos and dilated pupils. The face takes on a bluish tint. Priapism, bronchospasm, urinary and defecatory retention are also characteristic. Psychomotor agitation in the later stages of poisoning is replaced by deep depression, blackouts, and delirium.
The main damaging component of the poison is a substance called alpha-latrotoxin, the minimum sufficient dose of which is 0.045 mg/kg.
Antidote: antikarakurt serum.
8. Eighth place for poison blue-ringed octopus(Hapalochlaena).
The blue-ringed octopus is a genus of octopus that includes four known species, living in coastal waters Australia, Philippines, Indonesia and New Guinea. They are found at depths of up to 50 meters, and they can be found both near reefs and on the gently sloping coastline. The weight of animals varies in the range of 10-100 grams. The body of all mollusks of this genus is covered with large blue rings. Octopuses have different rings. In some (Hapalochlaena maculosa) the rings are visible only in an aggressive state; during periods of calm they do not appear.
The venom of the blue-ringed octopus is maculotoxin, or more precisely, tetrodotoxin, a poison of neurotoxic action. It is produced not by the mollusk itself, but by the bacteria living in it.
The poison blocks sodium channels, leading to muscle paralysis, stopping the respiratory muscles and, as a result, the heart. However, if a paralyzed person is kept on artificial respiration, after some time the tetrodotoxin is neutralized by the body.
First aid for a blue-ringed octopus bite:
Bandage-tourniquet above the bite, preventing the spread of poison throughout the body
Artificial respiration, which must be done even if the victim appears dead, because the action of the poison leads to a state in which the victim is fully aware of what is happening, but cannot give any signal.
7. In seventh place is the poison of a mollusk that lives on the east and north coasts of Australia, as well as on the east coast of Southeast Asia and China. This mollusk is called Conus geographus, or simply Cone.
The clam shells are 15–20 cm long. The cones are very active when touched in their habitat. Their toxic apparatus consists of a poisonous gland connected by a duct to a hard proboscis by a radula-grater located at the wide end of the shell, with sharp spines that replace the mollusk’s teeth. If you take the shell in your hands, the mollusk instantly extends the radula and thrusts spines into the body.
The poison at the cone has complex composition, the main damaging component is called alpha-conotoxin, the minimum sufficient dose is 0.012 mg/kg.
There is no antidote for shellfish toxin - it is not without reason that it is considered the most poisonous snail peace! The only measure is copious bloodletting from the injection site.
6. Venom of the yellow scorpion (Androctonus australis) in sixth place.
Androctonus australis - medium-sized scorpions up to 10-12 cm long and living up to 5 years. They have no relation to Australia: australis in Latin means “southern”, and androctonus in Greek means “murderer”. Found in the Middle East, north and southeast Africa (Algeria, Tunisia, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Iraq, Iran, etc.). This type of scorpion is associated with up to 80% of all serious poisonings and up to 95% of deaths from scorpion injections.
A bite from these extremely aggressive creatures can lead to fatal outcome within a few seconds.
The venom of the yellow fat-tailed scorpion is produced in two enlarged glands located immediately behind the sting, which looks like a barb at the end of the tail. They are what give Scorpios the “fat” appearance. It also differs from other scorpions in the color of its sting - from dark brown to black. It feeds mainly on small insects such as locusts or beetles, but can easily kill small lizards or mice. As soon as the victim stops resisting, the scorpion dismembers the body into small parts using sharp claws.
Basics damaging substance poison – titutoxin, the minimum sufficient dose is 0.009 mg/kg.
Antidote: anti-toxic serum "Antiscorpion". Antikarakurt serum can be used as a slightly less effective replacement. As first aid, you need to lubricate the wound with oil and apply a heating pad.
5. Fifth place is occupied by the poison of another representative of the seas - the Fugu fish, belonging to the Tetraodontidae family.
Some species of the Tetraodontidae family (four-toothed, also known as rock-toothed, dogfish and pufferfish) reach a length of up to half a meter. Habitat of puffer fish - from north coast Australia to the northern coast of Japan and from south coast China to the eastern islands of Oceania.
The main damaging substance of the poison is tetrodotoxin, the minimum sufficient dose is 0.008 mg/kg. The poison is a neurotoxin; when it enters the body, it blocks sodium channels in nerve endings. Poisoning from puffer fish is fatal in 60% of cases. Despite this, the Japanese and Koreans revere fugu as a delicacy and risk their lives for gastronomic pleasure. Maybe it's worth it?
Antidote: there is no special antidote; in case of poisoning, detoxification and symptomatic treatment are carried out.
4. Australian taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) - the poison of this very poisonous snake on earth ranks fourth.
Taipans reach a length of 2 to 3.6 m. They have a very aggressive character, but, fortunately, they are found only in sparsely populated areas on the northeast coast of Australia and the south of New Guinea. Taipan is very aggressive. When in danger, it twists its body and vibrates the end of its tail. Snakes are most aggressive during the mating period and skin change, but this does not mean that at other times they are peaceful and docile.
When a taipan bites, paralysis of the respiratory muscles occurs and blood clotting is impaired. The venom of this snake is about a hundred times stronger than poison cobra, and, without the use of antitoxic taipan serum, death after a bite occurs in 90% of cases. The amount of poison contained in one bite can kill 100 people.
The main damaging component of the poison is a substance called thaipotoxin; the minimum sufficient dose is no more than 0.002 mg/kg.
Antidote: Antitoxic Taipan Serum.
3. Opens the top three poison dart frogs/leaf climbers, or rather one of their representatives, the most poisonous frog in the world from the genus “Phyllobates” - the terrible leaf climber (Phyllobates terribilis).
Frogs do not exceed 5 cm in length and are usually brightly colored in gold, black-orange and black-yellow tones (warning coloring). If you get carried away to South America from Nicaragua to Colombia, don’t grab them with your hands. A substance called batrachotoxin is secreted by the skin of these small, brightly colored frogs. It is so toxic that even contact with the skin can cause death. The poison has a strong cardiotoxic effect, causing extrasystoles and fibrillation of the ventricles of the heart, paralyzing the respiratory muscles, myocardium and skeletal muscles. Persistently and irreversibly increases the permeability of the resting membrane for sodium ions and blocks axonal transport.
American Indians use these poisonous frogs for lubricating hunting arrows and blowpipe darts. Frogs are completely insensitive to their poison. The frogs themselves are not aggressive and do not rush at people, so the simplest and most effective way protection from them - do not pick them up!
The poison of "Phyllobates terribilis" is stronger than the poison of curare and thousands of times stronger than potassium cyanide. An adult contains enough poison to kill about 1,500 people!
The minimum sufficient dose is 0.002 mg/kg.
Antidote: does not currently exist. A strong antagonist is tetrodotoxin - wedge by wedge...
2. In second place is the substance palytoxin, produced coral polyps Palythoa toxica, P. tuberculosa, P. сaribacorum.
The body of these polyps - inhabitants of the coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans- consists not of eight, as in ordinary corals, but of six or of more than eight, the number of rays located on several corollas, usually a multiple of six.
Palytoxin is a cytotoxic poison. In case of defeat death occurs within a few minutes as a result of a sharp narrowing of the coronary vessels and paralysis of the respiratory muscles.
Antidote: no. That's why it's in second place!
1. And, finally, the leader is the larvae of the leaf beetle of the genus Diamphidia (D.Кlocusta, D.Кnigro-ornata, D.Кfemoralis).
The leaf beetle lives in South Africa and is a distant relative of the common Colorado potato beetle. Adults reach 10–12 mm in length. Females lay eggs on the branches of Commiphora plants. The larvae burrow into the ground, pupate and develop into a pupa over several years.
A single-chain polypeptide that opens all sodium-potassium channels in the cell membrane “for entry”, as a result of which the cell dies due to an imbalance in the intracellular electrolyte balance. It has a neurotoxic and especially pronounced hemolytic effect, capable of reducing the hemoglobin content in the blood by 75% in a short period of time due to the massive destruction of red blood cells. Bushmen still use crushed larvae of diamphidia: an arrow smeared with this liquid can knock down an adult 500-kilogram giraffe.
The substance diamphotoxin contained in their “blood” is the most powerful natural poison on the planet.
The minimum sufficient dose of diamphotoxin is 0.000025 mg/kg.
Antidote: none.
However, according to other scientists, the first place belongs to the box jellyfish (Cubozoa) or, as it is also called, the sea wasp, the poison of which fatally affects skin cells, the nervous system and the heart. On account of this poisonous inhabitant depths of the sea Asia and Australia six thousand deaths in the last sixty years.
The reputation of the most poisonous creature of the box jellyfish is somewhat spoiled by the fact that treating its wounds with acetic acid immediately after receiving them significantly increases the chances of survival.
And one more fact. Brazilian Wandering Spider (Phoneutria) or banana spider entered into the Guinness Book of Records in 2007 for maximum amount caused human deaths, and not so much because of its toxicity, but because of its choice of a wide variety of places to attack people - buildings, cars, clothes and shoes. What is called - not quality, so much as quantity!
Many inquisitive people have most likely wondered what the most poisonous creature on earth is. I wonder what for a long time it was generally believed that these were snakes and spiders. But research by scientists has painted a different picture for us. And now we will look at what, in their opinion, is the most poisonous creature in the world. The top 10 offered below may be extremely surprising to some nature lovers.
First place - box jellyfish
The box jellyfish has another name - “sea wasp”, because after it stings, the victim experiences unbearable pain. Many would agree that this is the most poisonous creature in the world. The Guinness Book of Records also shares this point of view. This jellyfish has been reported to kill humans for a short time, from 1 to 3 minutes. But this is not the only thing that makes her a terrible enemy. The deadly tentacles can simultaneously affect up to 60 people if they are within a radius of 8 meters. The extremely toxic poison acts quickly and irreversibly. Toxins attack the heart muscle and nervous system, causing hellish pain. If the touch of the tentacles was superficial, severe burns remain.
There is an antidote. If you immediately treat the bite with a solution acetic acid, there is a chance to survive, but usually this is not possible. Jellyfish victims drowned because they went into shock or died from cardiac arrest. Every year from poison sea wasp About 6,000 vacationers die. Only a few people survived the bite, and they were still in pain weeks later.
This most poisonous creature in the world (photo shown above) lives in the waters of Northern Australia, but sometimes the “wasp” is found near South Asia. At the same time, it is quite difficult to see the object in the water, since the jellyfish merges. But there is a creature that is not afraid of the box jellyfish - the sea turtle.
Second place - king cobra
Some are ready to dispute that the most poisonous creature on earth is that there are snakes with more toxic poison. But in the Guinness book it takes an honorable second place due to how much poison it sprays at a time. It reaches a length of 4 meters, but since these cobras grow throughout their lives (and they can live 30 years), some individuals reach 6 meters.
The amount of venom injected depends on the size of the victim, but the dose is usually slightly larger than necessary to be lethal.
A case was recorded where he died within three hours Indian elephant because I was amazed king cobra. At large quantities poison, a person dies within 15 minutes from paralysis and respiratory arrest. But even scarier is the fact that the cobra is capable of rising up to a third of its height. If its length is 5 meters, then it extends to 1.6 meters. But the good news is that they do not attack first (unless disturbed).
Its habitat is the forests of South Asia, but since active deforestation is underway, cobras are forced to move closer to human habitat.
Third place - Scorpio Leyurus
Another most poisonous creature in the world is the Leyurus scorpion, which is found in the territory North Africa, as well as in the Middle East. Although these scorpions are not aggressive and will not attack unless they sense danger, their venom can kill a person. Although there are many dangerous scorpions in nature, this subspecies is the most deadly. Leiruses carry a “cocktail” of neuroleptics; if it enters the bloodstream, the victim will die.
Initially, the stung area swells and the person feels incredible pain, after which a fever sets in, developing into convulsions. Finally, paralysis and death occur. It is interesting that before committing a deadly attack, the “baby” begins to move, as if dancing, and this warns of his intention.
Fourth place - taipan
Among the world's creatures is the taipan. The danger lies in the huge amount of poison that is released during the attack. This land snake is capable of killing 100 people. Its poisonous mixture is approximately 400 times more toxic than poison an ordinary cobra. After being bitten by an adult, death occurs on average within 45 minutes. About 90% of attacks on humans are fatal, even though an antidote exists and many people know about it.
This snake is very aggressive and can attack suddenly at a speed of 4 m/sec. But at the same time, taipans are quite timid and, sensing danger, can crawl away. This creature lives in Australia on arid plains, but often crawls towards water.
Fifth place - dart frog
Some believe that the most poisonous creature on the planet is the dart frog because of its deceptive appearance. She looks very attractive and completely defenseless, but this is a deception. Her skin of bright, rich color is covered with poison (batrachotoxin), which, when it comes into contact with a person through microscopic damage, easily penetrates the body. A gram of its poison can kill 10 people. This toxic substance consists of hundreds of components that have a nerve-paralytic effect. The scary thing is that the antidote has not yet been created and it is practically impossible to escape from the effects of the poison that gets on the skin.
Scientists know of 179 species of these “deceptive” creatures. They are divided into nocturnal (harmless) and daytime (toxic).
These poisonous amphibians can grow up to 8 cm. But the smallest ones (1.5 - 2.5 cm) are considered the most poisonous. They can be found in Central and South America in the rain forests. They are also called "dart frogs" because in the past, Aboriginal people used their poison to lubricate arrowheads.
It is noteworthy that these creatures do not produce poison on their own; they get it from poisonous insects.
Sixth place - blue-ringed octopus
This ringed octopus also received a place in the ranking of “the most poisonous creature on the planet.” Although this is a creation small size, no larger than a baseball (weight 100 grams), it has a toxic and dangerous poison. One portion that the octopus releases at a time is enough to poison 25 people. Death can occur in a few minutes. During this time, the victim will begin to experience problems with vision and speech, and numbness will occur. Next, the person will have difficulty breathing. The next disastrous symptom is complete paralysis. Lack of oxygen and cardiac arrest will lead to death. It is impossible to neutralize the effect of the poison, since no antidote has been created.
This “cute” creature lives near the Australian and South Asian coasts. It is widespread and prefers shallow depths. But fortunately he leads nightlife, so it’s not easy to stumble across it. In addition, the creature has a calm disposition and attacks only if it is “pissed off.” Its ability to change color sometimes leads to incidents, because the octopus is confused with other harmless coastal inhabitants.
Seventh place - wandering spider
Another most poisonous creature in the world, which is feared without even knowing about its toxicity, is wandering spider. He has a rather aggressive disposition. In addition, it is terrifying because it is the largest of all spiders in the world.
It can be found in Central and South America in tropical areas, especially in banana plantations, but sometimes this creature gets into houses. It does not spin webs and travels on its own to find food, which is what makes it very dangerous. He can stop to rest in a residential building, hide in a car or clothes. As a result, the percentage of spider attacks is very high. This arthropod is not shy and is immediately ready to attack, so if you happen to encounter it, do not try to scare it, as it will not retreat; it is better for you to run.
The spider's venom causes lung spasms and loss of muscle control. The person may experience suffocation. Toxins also affect the lymphatic system and cardiac arrest can occur. The still living victim feels his body gradually becoming numb. The poison is 20 times more toxic than the black widow.
Interestingly, in the Guinness book this is the most poisonous creature in the world among spiders. It is also noted that it was his fault that what happened large quantity deaths than from other arthropods.
Eighth place - fugu
Of the vertebrates, this is the most poisonous creature in the world. Many people know it as ball fish. The entire surface of the fish is considered poisonous, and some organs of the fugu are also considered dangerous. A set of toxins causes paralysis and suffocation in the affected person, which in turn leads to death from insufficient oxygen. But despite this, in Korea and Japan this fish is a first-class delicacy. Given its dangerous composition, fugu can only be prepared by professionals who have received a special license.
Ninth place - cone snail
Some people, seeing this marbled snail, do not understand that it belongs to dangerous creatures, because the appearance is very attractive. But you can’t judge by appearance, since she is just as dangerous as the rest of the representatives on this list. Just one drop of poison can kill 20 people. After the snail stings, the victim begins to experience excruciating pain, followed by numbness and inflammation of the bite site. The next stage is paralysis and suffocation. There is no cure for such poisoning.
But if you look at the statistics, only 30 deaths were recorded due to the fault of this snail.
Tenth place - stone fish
This unsightly creature takes last place rating "the most poisonous creature in the world." A bite of this underwater inhabitant provokes the most acute pain, known to man. The sensations are so strong that in search of relief the victim is ready to commit suicide or amputation of the bitten area. Such pain causes shock, then paralysis inevitably occurs, and the tissues at the site of the lesion begin to die, without medical care the person is in danger of death.
This dangerous “beast” is found in the waters of the Red Sea and in the tropical regions of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
A poison is a toxin that can cause severe poisoning or even death. The effect on a person depends on the amount of poison, as well as its type. It can enter the body through the mouth, respiratory organs and skin. Symptoms of poisoning may appear immediately after contact or several hours later. First aid must be provided immediately after signs of intoxication appear.
Classification
Highlight the following types poisons:
- Local poisons, which include substances that act only upon direct contact. These are mercury, arsenic, alkalis and acids.
- Systemic poisons. After entering the body, they are sent through the blood to all organs. This potassium cyanide, strychnine, hypnotics.
- Chemical poisons, which are classified as acids, alkalis, salts, gases. These are various organic and inorganic compounds.
Poisons can also be household poisons, that is, they are found in the immediate environment of a person. These are paints, herbicides, insecticides, rat poisons and other substances. Therefore, when using such products, you must take precautions - wear a mask on your face and rubber gloves on your hands.
The most dangerous poisons
There is a list of the most dangerous poisons in the world. Moreover, their danger lies in various reasons:
- Methyl alcohol. Such a substance, after entering the human body, causes intoxication. And if you drink it in large quantities, irreversible blindness or even death is possible. Therefore, at the first symptoms of poisoning, the patient must be given assistance and taken to the hospital. The danger of such poison is that it appearance, the taste and smell are completely identical to ethyl alcohol, so they can be easily confused.
- Mercury. It is contained in mercury thermometers. And if you break 2 thermometers in a room, then all the people in it will receive serious poisoning. The same substance is found in fluorescent lamps. Therefore, care must be taken when handling such items.
Mercury vapor is dangerous, and it begins to evaporate when room temperature. Therefore, if you break a thermometer or a lamp outdoors in winter, it’s not a big deal - the mercury balls can be collected and thrown away.
- Snake poison. Approximately 250 species of snakes are venomous. However, the antidote for each type of reptile must be separate. This is the danger - after the poison enters the blood, the antidote must be administered as soon as possible, otherwise death will occur within 20 minutes - 4 hours (depending on the type of snake).
- Potassium cyanide is the fastest-acting poison in the world. Moreover, you can be poisoned by it either by touching it or by inhaling it or if it gets in through the mouth. Under its influence, iron binds to blood cells, as a result of which the supply of oxygen to vital tissues stops. important bodies. Death occurs within a few minutes. The substance has the smell of bitter almonds. Neutralized by glucose, so ineffective in sweet environments.
Available poisons
One of the most accessible poisons is mushrooms. In the summer, when their season begins, many experience poisoning. Moreover, after eating some varieties of mushrooms, not only intoxication, but also death is possible. Therefore, without knowing the name of the mushroom, it is better not to take risks. You can only collect species that are definitely safe. Only one poisonous mushroom from a whole basket - and poisoning is guaranteed. These include false honey mushrooms, fly agarics, pale grebe and others. For example, there are several varieties of toadstool, and some of them are practically indistinguishable from edible mushrooms.
Fly agarics can also be edible if prepared correctly. They need to be boiled for 24 hours, draining the water as often as possible. But it’s better not to risk it and eat honey mushrooms, russula, boletus and other edible mushrooms.
Potatoes may also contain dangerous poisons for the human body. If potatoes are stored incorrectly (if they get sunlight on the root crop), solanine is formed in it. This substance causes severe intoxication in humans. It is not difficult to identify low-quality potatoes - as a rule, their skin takes on a greenish tint.
It is necessary to prepare bread only from flour purchased from trusted sources. It is not recommended to purchase it on the market. If the flour is contaminated with ergot, the baked bread will be poisonous, since the bacterium is not killed by heat treatment. Of course, such poison will not lead to death, but it will cause irreparable harm to health.
At home, you can also easily become poisoned by chemical fertilizers. For example, potassium chloride is very dangerous because once it enters the bloodstream, the substance blocks the activity of the heart. Death occurs in just a few minutes.
Deadly poisons in nature
Scientists have compiled a list of poisons that, once ingested, have a high probability of death:
- A neurotoxin found in the venom of some snakes. Immediately after the bite, the victim becomes inactive and drowsy. But after a while, muscle cramps appear, breathing becomes more frequent. Death occurs within 20-30 minutes due to paralysis of the respiratory tract. Moreover, no hematomas or tumors appear at the site of the bite. However, such a snake bites very rarely. It is necessary to immediately administer the Anticobra antidote to the patient. If serious breathing problems are observed, ventilation is performed.
- Alpha-latrotoxin, which is contained in spider venom of the karakurt genus. At the moment of the bite, a burning sensation is observed, and after 20-30 minutes the pain spreads throughout the victim’s entire body. The patient’s well-being begins to improve within a few days, and after 2-3 weeks, his or her complete recovery occurs.
- An alpha-conotoxin found in the venom of some species of shellfish (eg, conus shellfish). If you take a shell with a mollusk in your hand, it immediately pierces it with spines. In this case, the victim feels unbearable pain, as a result of which he loses consciousness. After a few minutes, the heartbeat quickens, the fingers go numb, shortness of breath and paralysis of the limbs appear. Deaths recorded after injection geographical cone. Moreover, there is no antidote. The patient can only be saved with copious bloodletting from the injection site.
- Titutoxin, which is produced by the yellow fat-tailed scorpion. The poison is so toxic that it kills even an adult. It is with the bite of this scorpion that 95% of all deaths from this poison are associated. They are found in Africa and the Middle East. It is immediately necessary to administer Anti-Scorpion serum, which will help save the victim’s life.
- And finally, the deadliest poison in the world is diamphotoxin. This is the most powerful poison on our planet. Contained in the blood of the larvae of the leaf beetle, common in the area South Africa. The insect belongs to the same family as the Colorado potato beetle. The poison is intended only for protection from predators - after eating the beetle, it dies from excruciating pain. After entering the victim’s body, the poison reduces the hemoglobin content by approximately 75%, since red blood cells are intensively destroyed. Poison can only enter the human body through the mouth. There is no antidote.
All poisons are very dangerous and deadly, so if you need to come into contact with them, you need to do this with the utmost caution. If symptoms of poisoning are detected toxic substances, you need to urgently call an ambulance. In some cases, even minutes decide the outcome of the situation. Therefore, if the poison is very dangerous, it is necessary to take an antidote as quickly as possible. Otherwise, there is a high probability of death.
Poisons have been used from ancient times to the present day as weapons, antidotes, and even medicine.
In fact, poisons are all around us, in drinking water, in everyday objects and even 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 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 contained 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 South-East 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 paralysis occurs respiratory system, the heart can 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.
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