Poisons are available to people. The most powerful poison
Everyone knows about terrible poisons and tries to stay as far away from them as possible. It would never occur to anyone to put a jar of arsenic in the refrigerator or kitchen cabinet. But you can find a lot of all kinds of solvents, cleaners, fresheners and other products. But they are no less dangerous than potassium cyanide.
1. Antifreeze is dangerous because it does not have an unpleasant odor and tastes quite edible, but if you drink this product, you must urgently call an ambulance. Drinking this liquid can lead to kidney failure and death.
2. If the windows are constantly freezing, then you will have to purchase anti-icing liquid, but you must remember that it contains methanol, a very toxic substance, alcohol, the use of which can lead to blindness and death.
3. Insecticides help fight pests, but you can become poisoned by spraying them in unventilated areas. The use of these drugs will lead to convulsions and coma.
4. Some solvents used to remove artificial nails can cause serious consequences. When consuming them, you can get methemoglobinemia and oxygen starvation.
5. Be careful with pipe cleaners, as the fumes from these products can kill if inhaled and burn internal organs.
6. Numbing creams work on the area where they are applied, but if you do not follow the instructions, you can damage your eyes.
7. Anionic detergent, known as carpet cleaner, is very caustic and can cause organ damage, and you can be blinded if it gets in your eyes.
8. If you exceed the dose of iron tablets, you can get iron poisoning. If you don't get help within 24 hours, your brain and liver will suffer. You might even die.
9. Toilet bowl cleaners remove dirt and unpleasant odors. If consumed, this drug can damage internal organs and cause you to fall into a coma.
10. Pain pills, including paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen, can cause death if overdosed. The internal organs will simply fail.
11. Furniture polish can cause a coma if you drink this product or inhale it well. If polish gets into your eyes, you can go blind, and if it gets on delicate skin, it can cause burns and irritation.
12. Perfume and cologne contain alcohol ethanol and isopropanol. Both of these substances can cause nausea, anxiety and seizures.
13. Don't drink mouthwash. It can cause diarrhea, dizziness and coma.
14. Gasoline is dangerous due to its fumes, inhaling which can cause dizziness, low blood pressure, pain in the eyes, ears, nose and throat.
15. Drinking kerosene, the liquid that is used for lighting, in kerosene lamps and kerosene gases, can cause bloody stools, cramps and a burning sensation in the internal organs.
16. Moths are annoying, but you can’t eat anti-moth tablets. You can get oxygen starvation and coma.
17. Oil paints can damage the skin and, if ingested in the stomach or lungs, can cause serious problems with the nervous system and cause death.
18. Codeine is sold as prescribed by a doctor, but in overdose it causes fatigue, drowsiness, intestinal cramps and death.
19. Taking a large dose of alcoholic beverages, we not only get drunk, but get serious poisoning and even death if medical assistance is not provided in time.
20. If it turns out that someone swallowed paint thinner, then there is a risk of necrosis of the tissues of internal organs, and if inhaled, memory loss and fever.
21. Rodent poison can cause blood in the urine and stool, a metallic taste in the mouth, and as brain hemorrhage occurs, pale skin and death.
22. Some skin lightening creams contain mercury in such quantities that it can cause poisoning. The gums may bleed, there will be bloody stools, vomiting and death.
23. Most deodorants or antiperspirants contain aluminum salts and ethanol. Tasting or inhaling large enough amounts can cause diarrhea, vomiting, coma and death.
24. Turpentine is a substance that is obtained from pine. If you taste it or inhale it deeply, you can get bloody stools and die.
25. Everyone knows that thermometers contain mercury. You should not taste it, as it is a highly toxic metal.
26. Repellents contain insect poison that protects us from their bites. Ingestion of the repellent may cause vomiting, coughing and convulsions.
27. Anti-redness creams for babies can be very dangerous in the hands of children. Never leave them within the reach of an infant. You take a risk even if you step away for a minute.
28. You may have acne, which means you use special creams. Never taste these products or apply them intensively to the skin - you will minimally get contact dermatitis.
29. Calamine lotion is used for skin conditions, but it contains zinc oxide, which can cause chills, nausea and fever.
30. Teflon is used to coat pans and pots to prevent food from burning, but when heated, it can lead to cancer and other health problems. Do not leave cooked food on the Teflon surface for a long time.
31. The plastic used to make plastic bottles contains bisphenol, which can cause cancer and hormonal problems in adolescents, accelerating the transition to puberty.
32. If herbicides are destructive to one organic matter, then they can harm another. If they are consumed internally, you can fall into a coma.
33. All fireproofing materials contain polybrominated diphenyl ethers, which can cause many health problems. In Europe, the use of these substances is prohibited.
34. Sleeping pills can kill.
35. If you have items in your home that are covered with Scotchgard, which was produced before 2000, you may suffer from birth defects and other health problems.
36. The powder that is in the printer is also an unsafe material. If you print a lot with a laser printer, do it in a well-ventilated area.
37. Coal tar is a carcinogen, which means it causes cancer.
38. Formaldehyde is used in the woodworking industry; if you inhale the fumes of this substance, you can feel irritation in the nose and eyes, and nasal cancer can occur in pets.
39. Lead paint is rarely used today, but that doesn't mean lead poisoning is uncommon because you have old newspapers and books stored in your attic, or even the paint itself.
40. Motor oil can damage organs, especially the lungs. In addition, motor oil poisoning can cause brain damage and breathing problems.
Foods and drinks that are very familiar to us can turn out to be deadly. And the simplest objects contain poison. It turns out that the most powerful poisons are sometimes close to us, and we don’t even suspect it.
We present to your attention a list of the most famous poisons that have been used to kill people throughout history.
1. Hemlock
Hemlock is a genus of highly toxic flowering plants native to Europe and South Africa. The ancient Greeks used it to kill their captives. For an adult, 100 mg is enough. infusion or about 8 hemlock leaves to cause death - your mind is awake, but your body does not respond and eventually the respiratory system stops. The most famous case of poisoning is considered to be one sentenced to death for atheism in 399 BC. e., the Greek philosopher Socrates, who received a very concentrated infusion of hemlock.
2. Fighter or Wolfsbane
Ninth place in the list of the most famous poisons is occupied by Borets - a genus of perennial poisonous plants growing in damp places along the banks of rivers in Europe, Asia and North America. The poison of this plant causes asphyxia, which leads to suffocation. Poisoning can occur even after touching the leaves without gloves, since the poison is absorbed very quickly and easily. According to legend, Emperor Claudius was poisoned by the poison of this plant. It was also used to lubricate bolts for the Chu Ko Nu crossbow, one of the unusual ancient types of weapons.
3. Belladonna or Belladonna
The name belladonna comes from the Italian word and translates as “beautiful woman.” In the old days, this plant was used for cosmetic purposes - Italian women dropped belladonna juice into their eyes, the pupils dilated, and the eyes acquired a special shine. The berries were also rubbed on the cheeks to give them a “natural” blush. It is one of the most poisonous plants in the world. All its parts are toxic and contain atropine, which can cause severe poisoning.
4. Dimethylmercury
Dimethylmercury is a colorless liquid and one of the most powerful neurotoxins. Hit 0.1 ml. this liquid on the skin is already fatal for humans. Interestingly, symptoms of poisoning begin to appear after several months, which is too late for effective treatment. In 1996, inorganic chemist Karen Wetterhahn was conducting experiments at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and spilled one drop of this liquid on her gloved hand - dimethylmercury was absorbed into the skin through the latex gloves. Symptoms appeared four months later, and Karen died ten months later.
5. Tetrodotoxin
Tetrodotoxin is found in two sea creatures - the blue-ringed octopus and the fugu fish. The octopus is the most dangerous because it deliberately injects its venom, killing its prey within minutes. It has enough poison to kill 26 adults within minutes. The bites are often painless, so many people only realize they have been bitten when paralysis occurs. But fugu fish is only lethal when eaten. But if the fish is cooked correctly, it is harmless.
6. Polonium
Polonium is a radioactive poison and a slow killer. One gram of polonium vapor can kill about 1.5 million people in just a couple of months. The most famous case of poisoning allegedly with polonium-210 was that of Alexander Litvinenko. Polonium was found in his cup of tea - a dose 200 times the average lethal dose. He died three weeks later.
7. Mercury
Mercury is a relatively rare element that at room temperature is a heavy, silvery-white liquid. Only vapors and soluble mercury compounds are poisonous, causing severe poisoning. Metallic mercury does not have a noticeable effect on the body. A famous case of death from mercury (allegedly) is the Austrian composer Amadeus Mozart.
8. Cyanide
Cyanide is a deadly poison that results in internal asphyxia. The lethal dose of cyanide for humans is 1.5 mg. per kilogram of body weight. Cyanide was usually sewn into the collars of the shirts of scouts and spies. In addition, the poison was used in gaseous form in Nazi Germany for mass murder in gas chambers during the Holocaust. It is a proven fact that Rasputin was poisoned with several lethal doses of cyanide, but he never died, but was drowned.
9. Botulinum toxin
Botulinum toxin is the most powerful poison known to science among organic toxins and substances in general. The poison causes severe toxic damage - botulism. Death occurs from hypoxia caused by impaired oxygen metabolism, asphyxia of the respiratory tract, paralysis of the respiratory muscles and cardiac muscle. And now scientists will not answer the question of what poison is the most powerful in the world. Some of the most powerful poisons are botulism and tetanus toxins. The source of botulism infection is homemade preparations.
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, a huge number of people who want to at least temporarily restore the smoothness of their skin are experiencing the influence of this terrible poison, which is part of the popular drug Botox, which once again confirms the validity of the famous saying of the great Paracelsus: “Everything is poison, everything - medicine; both are determined by the dose.”
10. Arsenic
Arsenic was recognized as the “king of poisons.” Arsenic poisoning causes symptoms similar to those of cholera (abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea). Arsenic, like Belladonna (item 8), was used in ancient times by women to make their faces pale white. There is an assumption that Napoleon was poisoned on the island of St. Helena with arsenic compounds.
11. Methanol, or methyl alcohol
It is a very dangerous poison. This is explained by the fact that it is easy to confuse it with ordinary wine alcohol, since they are indistinguishable in taste and smell. Counterfeit alcoholic drinks are sometimes made from methyl alcohol, but without an examination it is impossible to determine the presence of methanol. Unfortunately, the consequences of consuming such drinks are irreversible; at best, a person becomes blind.
12. Snake venom
There are more than two and a half thousand species of reptiles, but only about 250 species are poisonous. The most famous are common vipers, cobras, rattlesnakes, black mambas, and small snakes - sand ephs. Poisonous snakes are unpleasant neighbors. People have long found out that snake venom is dangerous only when it enters the human bloodstream. And, since humanity has been dealing with snakes for many millennia, it is not surprising that it was while studying the effects of snake venom on the bodies of animals and people that the first antidote was created in 1895 - anti-snake serum. By the way, there is no universal antidote even in case of poisoning by snake venom; for each type of snake, its own antitoxin is created - for king cobras - one, for vipers - another, for rattlesnakes - a third.
13. 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.
14. Bacillus anthrax
Anthrax is a very serious, rapidly developing disease caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. There are several forms of anthrax. The most “harmless” one is the skin one. Even without treatment, the mortality rate from this form does not exceed 20%. The intestinal form kills about half of those sick, but the pulmonary form is almost certain death. Even with the help of the latest treatment methods, modern doctors manage to save no more than 5% of patients.
15. 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.
16. 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.
In summer and autumn, the time comes for seasonal mushroom poisoning - by the way, these are the most accessible poisonous substances today. The most famous poisonous mushrooms are false mushrooms, toadstools, lines and fly agarics. The most poisoned mushroom is the toadstool, since it has many varieties, sometimes indistinguishable from edible mushrooms, and one such mushroom can lead to the death of several people. False mushrooms are the most common poisonous mushrooms. Although the Germans have learned to prepare fly agarics in such a way that they are not poisoned by them, it is true that it takes them a lot of time to prepare these mushrooms - they boil them for days. True, the question arises - why do they need fly agaric mushrooms when you can just take other mushrooms for food? And of course, we must remember the rules for storing cooked mushrooms; even edible mushrooms can become poisonous if the shelf life is violated.
17. Strychnine
Strychnine is found in large quantities in the nuts of the tropical chilibuha tree. 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.
18. Potatoes and grains
Regular potatoes or bread can also be poisonous. If potatoes are stored improperly, the substance solanine accumulates, causing poisoning of the body. And bread becomes poisonous if flour was used to make it and contained cereals contaminated with ergot. We are not talking about fatal poisoning, but it is quite possible to ruin your health with such products. An ear affected by ergot. In addition, there are many household chemicals and fertilizers that can also cause poisoning. For example, potassium chloride is the most common fertilizer, but if it gets into the bloodstream it becomes deadly, since potassium ions block the activity of the heart.
19. Curare
The most famous poison In South America, the most famous poison is curare, a poison of plant origin; there are several subspecies of this poison. It causes paralysis of the respiratory system. Initially it was used for hunting animals, but in the 20th century it was successfully used in medicine. Curare is the most famous poison among the Indians.
20. Batrachotoxin
Among natural poisons, batrachotoxin is very dangerous; it is secreted by the skin of small but dangerous amphibians - dart frogs, fortunately, they can only be found in Colombia. One such frog contains so much poisonous substance that it is enough to destroy several elephants. There is no need for a poison frog to hide. In addition, there are radioactive poisons, such as polonium. It acts slowly, but only 1 gram of this substance is needed to destroy one and a half million people. Snake venom, curare, potassium cyanide - they are all inferior to the above poisons. It's not just snakes that are poisonous. The most poisonous creature on Earth is the jellyfish.
21. Ricin
Ricin is an extremely powerful poison of plant origin. The greatest danger is inhaling its smallest grains. Ricin is about 6 times more powerful a poison than potassium cyanide, but it has not been used as a weapon of mass destruction due to purely technical difficulties. But various intelligence services and terrorists are very fond of this substance. Politicians and public figures receive letters filled with ricin with enviable regularity. True, the case quite rarely ends in death, since the penetration of ricin through the lungs is quite low in efficiency. For a 100% result, ricin must be injected directly into the blood.
The most famous poisoners
The story of the Italian Borgia dynasty of poisoners, who elevated poisoning almost to the level of art, is unique. Everyone without exception was afraid of their invitation to the feast. The most famous representatives of this family for their treachery are Pope Alexander VI Borgia and his children: son Cesare, who became a cardinal, and daughter Lucrezia. This family had their own poison, "cantarella", supposedly containing arsenic, phosphorus and copper salts. It is known that the head of the family himself ultimately paid with his life for his treachery, having mistakenly drunk a cup of poison that he had prepared for another. Secret rings became the weapon of poisoners in the Middle Ages. In France, arsenic was used by women, the most famous of them was Catherine de Medici, who became Queen of France. There were also poisoners of lower rank - favorites of kings, marquises, baronesses and wives of jewelers. It is believed that Napoleon was poisoned with arsenic.
It is noteworthy that products widely used in everyday life can be poisonous. And often the names of the most powerful poisons appear in simple objects. They are always near a person, and he does not even know about them.
Methanol
One of the most dangerous poisons for humans is called methanol. The thing is that it was often confused with wine alcohol. And you cannot distinguish one from the other by taste and smell. Fake alcohol is sometimes made from a deadly poison called methanol. And this fact can only be revealed by conducting appropriate laboratory research. At best, a person who drinks such a drink goes blind.
Mercury
In the past and still today, many families keep a mercury thermometer at home. But if you spill this substance at home, this is quite enough to cause poisoning. There is no dangerous chemical poison called mercury; it is its vapors that are dangerous. They separate at room temperature. In addition to thermometers, the same element is included in fluorescent lamps. For this reason, safety precautions must be observed with them.
There are currently about 2,500 species of snakes in the world, and only 250 of them have cleverly named venoms. The most famous reptiles of this type are cobras, vipers, rattlesnakes and sand elves. Their venom poses a danger to humans if it enters the circulatory system. The first official antidote was released in 1895. At the same time, there are no universal antidotes - there is one for each type of snake.
Potassium cyanide
The fastest killing poison is called potassium cyanide. It has been used since ancient times, and is the most famous “spy” poisoning method. This is what intelligence officers use in films - there it is presented in the form of ampoules or tablets. It has the smell of bitter almonds. It is noteworthy that simply inhaling or touching this substance is poisonous.
It is found in a number of herbs, foods, and cigarettes. It is used when gold is extracted from ore. Its lethal effect is possible due to the binding of iron in the blood, so the supply of oxygen to vital organs is stopped. It is noteworthy that they tried, but failed, to poison Grigory Rasputin with this substance. The thing is that it was added to a sweet product, and glucose is an antidote for this poison.
Mushrooms
Poison is also found in mushrooms; this is the most accessible type of toxic substance. The most famous are false honey mushrooms, pale toadstools, lines, fly agarics. Most often, poisoning with toadstool occurs due to the fact that there are many different types of this mushroom. And a number of them are very similar to edible ones. One mushroom is enough to kill several people at once.
It is noteworthy that the German nation has learned to prepare fly agaric mushrooms in such a way that they lose their poisonous properties. However, such cooking takes at least a day. If the expiration date is violated, such a dish again becomes dangerous to humans.
Potatoes and bread
You can safely add potatoes and bread to the list of names of poisons. If potatoes are stored incorrectly, solanine accumulates in them. It leads to poisoning and even death. Bread will be poisonous if made from flour containing grains contaminated with ergot.
The most famous poison
The name of the poison, which is among the most famous, is curare. It is of plant origin, produced in South America. It quickly causes respiratory paralysis. Initially it was used in hunting animals, and in the twentieth century its use in medicine began. He was extremely popular among the Indians.
In the ranking of the most famous names of poisons, arsenic cannot be ignored. This is a “royal” poison that has been used since ancient times. There are known cases of its use even under Caligula. He eliminated competitors in the political arena; the nobility loved him in the Middle Ages.
Poisoners in history
The most famous users of poisons were representatives of the Borgia dynasty. They actually made it its own art form. An invitation to a feast from them made anyone shudder. The most insidious were Pope Alexander IV Borgia and his children - Cesare and Lucrezia. They came up with their own formula and the name of a rare poison - cantarella. Presumably, the composition included arsenic, phosphorus and copper salt.
It is noteworthy that the father of the family himself died after mistakenly drinking a cup of poison that was intended for another.
About the most powerful poison in the world
It is hardly possible to accurately answer which name of the poison implies the most dangerous substance. The toxins of botulism and tetanus are extremely strong. Moreover, homemade preparations can become a source of botulism.
Natural poisons
Batrachotoxin is considered the most powerful natural poison. It is this substance that produces the skin of the small but dangerous dart frog. It is found in Colombia. One such amphibian contains such a concentration of dangerous substances that it can kill several elephants.
Radioactive poisons
Radioactive poisons are very dangerous. The most famous of these is polonium, which has a slow effect, but one gram of it is enough to kill 1,500,000 people.
Polonium was discovered in uranium ore. When it is outside the human body, it is not a dangerous substance. It does not penetrate the skin. But as soon as it is inside the body, polonium instantly causes severe damage to internal organs. Death in this case is inevitable.
Chemical poisons
Chemical poisons with the name of the group are produced by synthesizing various substances. One of the strongest poisons in this group is acrolein. It was often used on the battlefields of World War I as a chemical weapon.
Soman is a chemical that smells like apples. At the same time, a minute after the defeat, the pupils begin to dilate and breathing becomes difficult. It began to be used in 1944.
The next known chemical poison is called carbon disulfide. It smells quite pleasant, but acts like a drug. A person poisoned by it experiences loss of consciousness, convulsions and headaches, possible vomiting and intermittent breathing.
The scientific name of the poison, which is classified as chemical and has an ammonia odor, is trimethylamine. Even in small concentrations, it irritates the eyes, the mucous membrane of the respiratory organs, and its main effect is suffocating.
Chlorine is the simplest gas that has a metallic taste. It is widely used in the industrial sector, and was also used by German troops in the First World War. It causes lung burns.
Composition of snake venom
The scientific name for snake venoms is serpentotoxin. This substance mostly consists of proteins that clot blood and destroy proteins. Sea snakes produce poison with neurotoxins - they paralyze the nervous system. In addition, such substances cause rapid tissue necrosis, disrupt the functioning of internal organs, and reduce cardiac output.
It is noteworthy that the composition of snake venoms has not been fully studied. But by processing them, man learned to use such substances in medicine. Thus, cobra venom is used for analgesic effect. Viper venom is used to eliminate the ability of blood to clot for 3 weeks. There is reason to believe that one day snake venom will become a treatment for thrombosis.
Classification of poisons
A separate classification of poisons is used, and it is carried out for many reasons. Thus, in forensic science, blood poisons are isolated - they change the composition of the blood, gluing and destroying red blood cells. This group includes arsenous hydrogen, bertholite salt, carbon monoxide, and mushroom poison.
In addition, they release toxic substances that change the composition of hemoglobin. Death is achieved due to the fact that oxygen stops flowing from the lungs to the tissues. This is how, for example, carbon monoxide and a salt of nitric acid act.
Destructive poisons represent a separate category. They provoke necrosis and dystrophy. For the most part, their action affects internal organs. This category includes arsenic, lead, phosphorus.
There are also neuro-functional poisons, as the name suggests, their effects are aimed primarily at the human nervous system. Strychnine and phenamine excite the central nervous system. While it is suppressed by morphine, codeine, ethyl and methyl alcohols. Cyanide compounds paralyze the nervous system.
The most toxic metal is arsenic. This is what insect repellents are impregnated with.
Pope Clement VII died in 1534 from toadstool poisoning.
Abraham Lincoln's mother died when she drank the milk of a cow that was eating a poisonous plant, wrinkled sapling. This cause of death was common for thousands of people in the 19th century. The leaves of this plant are very similar to nettles, and people often confused them.
It is noteworthy that some animals react very sharply to poisonous gases. For this reason, they served as indicators for people of the presence of poison in the air. In World War II, these were cats for the Germans, and budgies for the British.
Cyanide was used in the gas chambers. This applies to executions in the USA and to the extermination of Jews by the Nazis. Survivors of this phenomenon describe its smell as “bitter almonds.” When cyanide enters the body, it makes blood circulation impossible. At the moment, executions by this method are prohibited due to inhumanity.
It is noteworthy that one of the most dangerous nerve gases - VX - was initially released for sale as Amiton pesticides. And only then did scientists find out how dangerous such a substance is for humans. During the Cold War it was a backup weapon.
During the Vietnam War, defoliant from Dow Chemical and Monsanto companies was very actively used. They destroyed trees that provided cover for enemies. The poison contains a substance that provokes the development of cancerous tumors. Due to the widespread use of this composition in Vietnam, many women gave birth to stillborn children or with abnormalities - with extra fingers, without certain parts of the body, with mental retardation. And this substance has not yet evaporated; it remains in Vietnam.
Lead is also considered poisonous. It was used 8,000 years ago, but people became aware of its danger not so long ago. Just a couple of decades ago, people learned that this substance affects internal organs, causing poisoning. The final manifestations of lead exposure are mental disorders and diarrhea.
History of poisons
The first mention of a poisoning investigation is a document drawn up in Rome in 331 BC. Suddenly, a series of deaths of noble patricians occurred. Initially, a version of the epidemic was expressed, but the denunciation of one of the slaves pointed to the guilt of Cornelia and Sergius, patricians. They possessed a whole range of poisons. While convincing the Senate that these were drugs, they took these drugs and died.
During civil strife in Ancient Rome, suicide by poisoning was common. At the same time, it was permissible to provide the authorities with a good reason and receive a poisonous decoction. It is noteworthy that it was then that the tradition of clinking glasses appeared - during such a ritual, wine spilled out of the glass and went to the neighbor. In this way, the man proved that there was no poison in the cups.
In the writings that have survived to this day from those times, thoughts often appear about how difficult it is to recognize poison. Over the centuries, poisoning has acquired the characteristics of a separate art - poisoners learned to eliminate bitterness by adding sweets, and replaced unpleasant odors with odorous substances. Poisons were mixed with medicines intended for the sick. Rescue from this scourge was very difficult.
Trying to figure out which poison is the strongest in nature is doomed to failure - too many variables influence the results. However, if we take only one parameter - the average lethal dose, only one type of living beings - laboratory mice, only one route of administration - intramuscular, and evaluate not whole poisons, but their individual components, then some idea of the “ideal killers” can be obtained .
The average lethal dose, DL50 (lat. dosis letalis), causes the death of half of the experimental animals (DL100 is the dose minimally sufficient for all who received it). DL is measured in milligrams of a substance per 1 kg of animal body weight (mg/kg); in our rating it is indicated in parentheses after the name of the substance. So, the top 10 most toxic poisons with DL50 are for mice when administered intramuscularly.
Neurotoxin II (0.085 mg/kg)
Source: component of the poison of the Central Asian (Naja oxiana).
The venom of this snake is extremely strong. When bitten, it has a neurotoxic effect. After the bite, the victim is lethargic, but soon begins to experience convulsions, breathing becomes more frequent and shallow. Death occurs after some time due to paralysis of the respiratory tract. Local manifestations (hematomas, tumors) do not occur with a Central Asian bite.
Despite the danger, this snake bites quite rarely, preferring to take a defensive pose when danger approaches, and hisses loudly, raising the front part of the body and spreading the front eight pairs of cervical ribs to the sides in such a way that the flattened neck expands in the form of a “hood”. Usually, this is enough to convince the enemy to retreat. Although, even if the enemy does not heed the warnings, this is not always followed by a bite. First, the cobra delivers a false bite - throwing the front part of the body sharply forward and hitting the enemy with its head. The mouth is closed during this blow. In this way, the snake protects its own from possible injury.
The Central Asian cobra, whose length reaches 1.5-1.6 m, is common in northwestern India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and northeastern Iran. In Central Asia, this snake is found in Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The northern border of the range is the Nura-Tau ridge and the Bel-Tau-Ata mountains, the western border is the spurs of the Turkestan ridge.
Antidote: it is recommended to administer Anticobra serum or polyvalent antisnake serum, use of anticholinesterase drugs in combination with atropine, corticosteroids, and antihypoxants. In case of deep breathing disorders, artificial ventilation of the lungs is necessary.
Alpha-latrotoxin (0.045 mg/kg)
Source: Contained in the venom of 31 species of spiders of the genus Latrodectus (karakurt).
A neurotoxin that causes the release of acetylcholine, norepinephrine and other mediators from presynaptic terminals, followed by depletion of their reserves.
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 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 areas, 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. Deaths have been reported in humans and farm animals. After 3-5 days, the skin becomes covered with a rash, and the victim’s condition improves somewhat. Recovery begins in 2-3 weeks, but for a long time he feels general weakness.
Karakurts (“black widows”) live in tropical, subtropical and even temperate latitudes on all continents except Antarctica. Only females are dangerous (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.
Antidote: antikarakurt serum.
Alpha-conotoxin (0.012 mg/kg)
Source: component of the complex venom of the mollusk Conus geographus (geographic cone).
A neurotoxin that blocks H-cholinergic receptors in muscles and peripheral nerves.
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 injection is accompanied by acute pain leading to loss of consciousness, numbness of the fingers, strong heartbeat, shortness of breath, and sometimes paralysis. In the Pacific Islands, cases of shell collectors dying from cone stings have been recorded.
The cone shells are 15-20 cm long. Habitat is the eastern and northern coasts of Australia, the eastern coast of Southeast Asia and China, and the Central Pacific region.
Antidote: There is no antidote. The only measure is copious bleeding from the injection site.
Chiriquitotoxin (0.01 mg/kg)
Source: Produced by the skin of the toad Atelopus chiriquiensis.
A structural analogue of tetrodotoxin - it differs only in the replacement of the CH2OH group with an as yet unidentified radical. Neurotoxin, blocks sodium and potassium channels in the membranes of nerve endings.
Causes impaired coordination of movements, convulsions, incomplete paralysis of the limbs.
Small (males - about 3 cm, females - 3.5-5 cm) toads with the beautiful name chiriquita are found on the isthmus between North and South America - in Panama and Costa Rica. The species is endangered. The toxin is produced by the skin of the chirikit, and the toxicity, we recall, was assessed when administered intramuscularly.
Antidote
Tityutoxin (0.009 mg/kg)
Source: one of the venom components of the yellow fat-tailed scorpion (Androctonus australis).
Neurotoxin slows down the inactivation of fast sodium channels of electrically excitable membranes, which leads to the development of persistent depolarization.
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. The venom of the fat-tailed scorpion is so toxic that it can even kill an adult human. 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.
This type of scorpion is associated with up to 80% of all serious poisonings and up to 95% of deaths from scorpion injections.
Androctonus australis are medium-sized scorpions up to 10 cm long. They are not related 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.).
Antidote: antitoxic serum “Antiscorpion”. Antikarakurt serum can be used as a slightly less effective replacement.
Tetrodotoxin (0.008 mg/kg)
Source: produced and accumulated in the tissues of fish of the Tetraodontidae family, the mollusk BabyIonia japonica and the chirikit’s close relative, the toad Atelopus varius.
Neurotoxin, selectively blocks sodium channels in the membranes of nerve endings.
This is a dangerous poison that, once in the digestive tract, causes severe pain, convulsions and usually leads to death.
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. Both these fish and the dish made from them are called “fugu” in Japan. The poison is contained in the liver, milk, caviar, intestines and skin, so only specially trained chefs are allowed to prepare fugu, who remove the poisonous organs using a separate method for each type. If pufferfish meat is prepared by ignorant amateurs, then in 60 cases out of 100, trying such a dish leads to death. And such cases are still not uncommon. According to a Japanese proverb, “he who eats fugu is a fool, but he who does not eat is also a fool.”
The habitat of puffer fish is from the northern coast of Australia to the northern coast of Japan and from the southern coast of China to the eastern islands of Oceania.
The mollusk Babylonia japonica has a very beautiful shell with a classic spiral shape, 40-85 mm long. Habitat: the coast of the Korean Peninsula, Taiwan and Japan.
Toads Atelopus varius (Atelop variegated) are small, 2.5-4 cm, and if you are “lucky” you can stumble upon them only in the jungles of Panama and Costa Rica.
Antidote: There is no specific antidote; detoxification and symptomatic therapy is carried out.
Typoxin (typotoxin) (0.002 mg/kg)
Source: component of the venom of the most poisonous snake on earth - the Australian taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus). Before the development of the antidote (1955), up to 90% of those bitten died.
A presynaptic toxin has phospholipase activity and causes a characteristic release of nerve impulse mediators (weakening of secretion, strengthening and, finally, its complete inhibition). Has neurotoxic and myotoxic effects.
Taipan is very aggressive. When in danger, it curls 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.
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.
Antidote: antitoxic taipan serum.
Batrachotoxin (0.002 mg/kg)
Source: skin secretion of leaf-climbing frogs of the genus Phyllobates.
It 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.
The poisonousness of these frogs is such that you can’t even touch them. The skin secretions of leafhoppers contain alkaloids-batrachotoxins, which, when ingested, cause arrhythmia, fibrillation and cardiac arrest.
Tree frogs do not exceed 5 cm in length and are usually brightly colored in gold, black-orange and black-yellow (warning coloration). If you get carried away to South America from Nicaragua to Colombia, don’t grab them with your hands.
Antidote: There is no specific antidote; detoxification and symptomatic therapy is carried out. A strong antagonist is tetrodotoxin - wedge by wedge...
Palytoxin (0.00015 mg/kg)
Source: found in the rays of six-rayed coral polyps Palythoa toxica, P. tuberculosa, P. сaribacorum.
Cytotoxic poison. Damages the sodium-potassium pump of cells, disrupting the gradient of ion concentrations between the cell and the intercellular environment. Causes pain in the chest, as with angina, tachycardia, difficulty breathing, hemolysis. Death occurs within the first few minutes after the injection into the polyp.
The body of these polyps - inhabitants of the coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific oceans - consists not of eight, like ordinary corals, but of six or more than eight, the number of rays located on several corollas, usually a multiple of six.
Antidote: There is no specific antidote; symptomatic therapy is carried out. Animal studies suggest that simple vasodilators such as papaverine or isosorbide dinitrate may be effective.
Diamphotoxin (0.000025 Kmg/kg)
Source: the most powerful poison of animal origin on our planet, contained in the hemolymph (“blood”) of the larvae of the South African leaf beetle of the genus Diamphidia (D.Кlocusta, D.Кnigro-ornata, D.Кfemoralis), belonging to the same family with all known pests - Colorado potato beetle. Designed solely for protection from predators.
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; in a short period of time it reduces the hemoglobin content in the blood by 75% 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.
Adult beetles 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. Therefore, finding Diamphidia cocoons is not a problem for hunters.
Antidote: There is no specific antidote. Carry out detoxification and symptomatic therapy.
Many inquisitive people have most likely wondered what the most poisonous creature on earth is. Interestingly, for a long time it was generally accepted 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 is reported to kill a person in 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. Extremely fast and irreversible. 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 of acetic acid, there is a chance of survival, but this is usually not possible. Jellyfish victims drowned because they went into shock or died from cardiac arrest. Every year, about 6,000 vacationers die from sea wasp venom. 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.
There was a recorded case where an Indian elephant died within three hours because it was struck by a king cobra. With a large amount of 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 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 the venom of 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 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 ring-shaped octopus has also earned a place in the ranking of "the most poisonous creature on the planet." Although this creature is small in 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 it is nocturnal, so it’s not easy to stumble upon 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 the 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 was also noted that more deaths occurred due to its fault 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, when they see this marbled snail, do not understand that it is a dangerous creature, since its 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 ranks last in the ranking of “the most poisonous creature in the world.” The 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 sets in, and the tissues at the site of the lesion begin to die; without medical assistance, the person faces death.
This dangerous “beast” is found in the waters of the Red Sea and in the tropical regions of the Indian and Pacific oceans.