What Is Ricin?

So what is ricin? On April 16, 2013, a letter tainted with traces of ricin was mailed to Mississippi Republican Senator Roger Wicker. The first routine test conducted on the envelope returned positive results for ricin, only to be confirmed by further testing at Washington’s off-site mail facility. The letter did not reach the senator; it was intercepted by the mail screening facility purposed to prevent such incidents.

Ricin is a highly toxic poison found naturally in castor beans. If castor beans are chewed and swallowed, the released ricin can cause injury. Ricin can be made from the waste material left over from processing castor beans.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, ricin works by getting inside the cells of a person’s body and preventing the cells from making the proteins they need. Without the proteins, cells die. Eventually this is harmful to the whole body, and death may occur. Effects of ricin poisoning depend on whether ricin was inhaled, ingested, or injected.

Update: Sen Wicker issued this statement:

This matter is part of an ongoing investigation by the United States Capitol Police and FBI. I want to thank our law enforcement officials for their hard work and diligence in keeping those of us who work in the Capitol complex safe. Gayle and I appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers.