"Due to the nature of its toxicity, most studies are conducted using a ricin-like protein, but the problem there is that they are not exactly the same as ricin. In order to complete the studies, Edmonds and his team will work with the actual substance rather than a simulant. The paper documents his studies, which demonstrates the need for accurate dissemination techniques to effectively evaluate sampling technologies in an environment mimicking the "real world" environment where the toxin may be present. The paper, which is entitled, "Surface Sampling of a Dry Aerosol Deposited Ricin", examines swab materials commonly used to sample biological threat agents from surfaces. The CDC approached Edmonds because he is one of the only people to be published on the subject of evaluating technologies for sampling of ricin off of different surfaces. "It's important to remember that when it comes to deadly toxins like ricin, you cannot just clean up 99 percent of the surface, it must be decontaminated 100 percent in order to guarantee that someone will not be affected." Postal Service, it would be from the point it was put in the mailbox to the point it was identified in the sorting facility," said Edmonds.Īccording to Edmonds, the CDC also wants to explore techniques for the thorough detection of ricin on a potentially exposed surface even after it's been decontaminated. "Right now the biggest problem the CDC faces is determining if an exposed surface still has trace amounts of ricin on it - in the case of the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reached out to Jason Edmonds, Ph.D., Branch Chief for Aerosol Sciences at ECBC's Research & Technology Directorate, to perform studies to identify methodologies for fully sampling ricin from a surface. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) are researching effective sampling and detection methods of the deadly substance.
Preventing the transport of materials laced with ricin is a priority for the national defense community, but in the event of an unknown attack, scientists at the U.S. There is currently no antidote for the substance, which could be lethal if an average adult inhaled a dose the size of a few grains of salt. Ricin is a highly toxic, naturally occurring protein found in the seeds of the castor oil plant. An envelope laced with ricin intended for the President of the United States was intercepted in April 2013 by law enforcement officials when protocols established for mail screenings revealed the threat of a biological weapon.
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