Burnopfield white supremacist Ian Davison admits ricin charges

Mar 9 2010 by Rob Kennedy, The Journal

Mr Hedworth said Davison snr’s role in terrorism was “propaganda”.

Davison jnr was granted bail until his trial.

Ricin is a protein toxin that is extracted from the castor bean (Ricinus communis).

It can be either a white powder or a liquid in crystalline form. Ricin can cause severe allergic reactions, and exposure to small quantities can be fatal. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) gives a possible minimum figure of 500 micrograms (about half a grain of sand) for the lethal dose of ricin in humans if exposure is from injection or inhalation.

Ricin is poisonous if inhaled, injected, or ingested, acting as a toxin by the inhibition of protein synthesis. While there is no known antidote, the US military has developed a vaccine.

Long-term organ damage is likely in survivors. Ricin causes severe diarrhoea and victims can die of shock.