Ten of The Worlds Most Deadly Poisons

Poisons have been feared by people throughout human history. They have been considered in the past and still today as an economical and swift way of murder or even suicide. The use of poisons is not only limited to negative use but various poisons have positive usage in the medical and chemical industry. But even if the positive use of poisons is increased still their use in activities like suicide and crimes cannot be ignored. Not all poisons exist naturally; some of them are man-made by way of chemical experimentation. We have prepared a list of the Top 10 Most Deadly Poisons In The World.

10). Arsenic

Arsenic poisoning is caused due to elevated levels of arsenic in the human body. This increase in the levels of arsenic in the blood may occur due to various reasons, the most common being: drinking water. The symptoms of arsenic poisoning at first are very mild like dizziness and headaches and later they may result in diarrhoea and ultimately death. It is estimated that around 137 million people are exposed to elevated levels of arsenic due to drinking water.

9). Ethylene glycol

Ethylene glycol is a very common organic compound mostly used in chemical labs and chemical industries. It does not have any smell or colour but has a sweet taste which makes it especially dangerous for animals and children. If a fixed amount of Ethylene glycol is ingested it may result in organ failure starting from, the kidneys, the heart and ultimately shutting down of the nervous system. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers around 1000 people were reported to be victims of ethylene glycol poisoning, 16 of them resulting in death.

8). Sodium Fluoroacetate

Sodium Fluoroacetate is a salt which is very similar to sodium chloride in taste but in toxicity, it is far ahead. It is commonly used as a pesticide and may affect both humans and animals. If a human is exposed to its poisoning the symptoms start from headache, vomiting and fever and later if no treatment is recived they may turn to cardiac problems and ultimately into a coma. Once a person goes into a coma death may occur due to the failure of the respiratory system. It is estimated that 2 to 10 milligrams of Sodium Fluoroacetate is lethal for humans.

7). Mercury

Mercury is a chemical element most commonly used in thermometers. Its symbol is Hg and it is one of the most toxic poisons in the world. The main threat of mercury poisoning is not by ingesting it but instead, it gets absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream. The most common victims of mercury poisoning are factory workers who may develop tremors in their body parts like the tongue, lips and hands. These tremors later result in violent spasms and ultimately death. Other symptoms of such poisoning can be loss of memory and extreme depression.

6). Dioxin

Dioxins are a group of toxic chemical compounds with an extremely toxic nature. It is estimated that a few drops of totally pure dioxin are enough to kill a human being. Other results of poisoning to dioxin may be the disfiguring and severe irritation of the skin.

5). Amatoxin

Amatoxin is a combination of various toxic chemical compounds. It is highly toxic if ingested and it directly affects the liver and then later other vital organs like kidneys. It is estimated that only 0.1 mg of Amatoxin is lethal for humans. One of the most common sources of its poisoning is the eating of poisonous mushrooms.

4). Strychnine

Strychnine is another toxic chemical which is mostly fatal for humans and animals. Unlike other poisons, its symptoms are more deadly. They start from uncontrolled muscle movements of the face and neck and later these movements spread to the entire body. The person affected by it may experience a peculiar metallic taste in the mouth and severe uneasiness and depression. Death is mostly caused due to respiratory failure. It may take around 24 hours from the point of its ingestion to death.

3). Tetrodotoxin

Tetrodotoxin is a type of toxin which directly affects the nervous system. It is extremely toxic and so far no antidote has been developed for its cure. If a person falls victim to its poisoning then the process of slow death starts and it may take several weeks or days for death to come. An idea about its toxic nature can be made from the fact that only 25 milligrams of Tetrodotoxin is lethal for humans.

2). Cyanide

The second most deadly poison in the world is cyanide. It is another toxic material which proved fatal for both humans and animals. If ingested its symptoms start from uneasiness in breathing and tremors and may later result in a coma. Death may be caused due to cardiac arrest. Another symptom of its poisoning is that the skin colour of the victim may change to pink in colour. It is estimated that 1.5 mg of cyanide is enough to kill a human being.

1). Botulinum

Botulinum is a type of protein and it is considered the most deadly toxic compound in the world for both humans and animals. The most common cause of its poisoning is the use of unhygienic and old meat products because the protein in meat releases this toxin into the meat once it is ingested. On one side it is toxic but on the other side, it is very commonly used for the sure of various medical diseases. It may cause botulism which may result in paralysis and ultimately death.