Ricin Exposure Puts Man In Coma
LAS VEGAS — Police say a man is in critical condition after the deadly toxin ricin was found in his room at a motel in Las Vegas, television station KVVU reported.
Officer Lt. Lewis Roberts said the man has been in a coma since he was found in his room at an Extended Stay America Motel on Thursday afternoon.
He’s one of seven people hospitalized after the ricin was discovered. Police have said most were examined as a precaution.
Investigators don’t think foul play is involved and the FBI said the case doesn’t appear to be terrorism-related. But authorities aren’t sure why the man had a vial of powdered ricin in his room.
Ricin is a substance that is 6,000 times more toxic than cyanide. There is no known antidote. Further lab tests on the substance are expected later Friday.
KVVU reported that about 3 p.m. Thursday, an employee found a substance in one of the hotel’s apartments when he was cleaning it and took it to the office.
The area surrounding the apartment was evacuated, according to police, who were called to the hotel Thursday to retrieve the package.
Police said the man who brought the substance to the manager told police he’d found it in a suite and it did not belong to him.
Police said there was no indication anyone was making ricin, but they are looking for the people who last stayed in the apartment. They will not elaborate on the amount found.
The area has been contained, and the hotel has been quarantined for an indefinite amount of time.
Ricin is used in cancer research. It is made from crushed castor beans with liquid added to them, and if inhaled or ingested, a fatal dose is 0.2 mg, or the size of a pinhead.
Previous Stories:
- February 29, 2008: Ricin Easy To Make, But Poisoning Is Rare