Name of the poison. The fastest-acting deadly poisons for humans - pharmaceutical, household

Omega - high toxic substance, which is part of hemlock. Just 100 milligrams of it (8 leaves) will be enough to kill a person. How it works: all body systems gradually fail, except the brain. As a result, you, being in your right mind, begin to die slowly and painfully until you suffocate.

The most popular hemlock was among the Greeks. Interesting fact: This plant caused the death of Socrates in 399 BC. The Greeks executed him in this way for disrespect for the gods.

Source: wikipedia.org

No. 9 - Aconite

This poison is obtained from the fighter plant. It causes arrhythmia, which ends in suffocation. They say that even touching this plant without gloves can result in death. It is almost impossible to detect traces of poison in the body. Most famous case Applications - Emperor Claudius poisoned his wife Agrippina by adding aconite to her mushroom dish.

Source: wikipedia.org

#8 - Belladonna

In the Middle Ages, belladonna was used as a women's cosmetic (rouge for cheeks). Special drops were even obtained from the plant to dilate the pupils (at that time this was considered fashionable). You could also swallow belladonna leaves - one is just enough for a person to die. Berries are also not a miss: you only need to eat 10 of them to die. In those days, a special poisonous solution was made from the latter, which was used to lubricate arrowheads.

Source: wikipedia.org

#7 - Dimethylmercury

This is the slowest and most insidious killer. This is because even 0.1 milliliter that accidentally gets on your skin will be enough to be fatal. The most notorious case: in 1996, a chemistry teacher at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire dropped a drop of poison onto her hand. Dimethylmercury burned through a latex glove; symptoms of poisoning appeared after 4 months. And 10 months later the scientist died.

Source: wikipedia.org

#6 - Tetrodotoxin

This poison is found in blue-ringed octopuses and puffer fish(fugu). With the former, things are very bad: octopuses deliberately attack their prey with tetrodotoxin, imperceptibly pricking it with special needles. Death occurs within a few minutes, but symptoms do not appear immediately - after paralysis sets in. The venom of one blue-ringed octopus is enough to kill 26 healthy men.

It’s easier with fugu: their poison is only dangerous when you’re about to eat the fish. It all depends on the correct preparation: if the cook is not mistaken, the tetrodoxin will all evaporate. And you will eat the dish without any consequences, except for incredible adrenaline rushes...

Source: wikipedia.org

#5 - Polonium

Polonium is a radioactive poison for which there is no antidote. The substance is so dangerous that just 1 gram of it can kill 1.5 million people in a few months. The most sensational case of the use of polonium was the death of Alexander Litvinenko, an employee of the KGB-FSB. He died in 3 weeks, the reason was that 200 grams of poison were found in his body.

Source: wikipedia.org

#4 - Mercury

elemental mercury - found in thermometers. Instant death occurs if inhaled;
inorganic mercury - used in the manufacture of batteries. Lethal if swallowed;
organic mercury. Sources are tuna and swordfish. It is recommended to eat no more than 170 grams per month. Otherwise, organic mercury will begin to accumulate in the body.

The most famous case of use is the poisoning of Amadeus Mozart. He was given mercury tablets to treat syphilis.

All of us, one way or another, have encountered such a phenomenon as poisons.

Some enthusiastically read about them in books, some were briefly told about them in school lessons, and some worked directly with them.

Poisons are divided into natural and artificially created, and have been present in human history since time immemorial. People, such ruthless and sophisticated creatures, not only learned to extract poison from natural materials, but also decided to go further - they created methods of killing with their own hands. And, I must admit, they did it well.

The heyday of poisons occurred in the dark and mysterious Middle Ages - a time when animal fear, cruelty and unquestioning obedience to religion dominated society. And, as it turned out, the endless games of the nobility with death, in the struggle for the throne, became the final touch in the dark trail of the Middle Ages.
However, even today poisons have not lost their relevance and continue to interest many people. It’s a pity, of course, that it’s not only for scientific purposes.

But, if you found this article out of pure curiosity, why not?
Check out the top 10 most dangerous poisons in the world.

Everyone knows the dangerous effects of mercury on the human body. That is why we were so often told to be careful with thermometers and immediately take appropriate measures if it turned out to be broken.

Theoretically, there are three forms of mercury that are deadly to humans: elemental, organic and inorganic mercury. We often encounter elemental mercury in everyday life - these are the same banal old thermometers or fluorescent lamps. This type of mercury is safe to touch, but can be fatal if inhaled.

Symptoms of mercury poisoning are almost the same in all species, and can range from nausea and seizures to blindness and even memory loss.

If we look at history, arsenic was at one time the most popular poison and a favorite among murderers. It was even called “royal poison.”

The use of arsenic began in ancient times (the use of this poison was even attributed to Caligula), mainly in order to eliminate enemies and competitors in the endless struggle for the throne - no matter whether royal or papal. Arsenic was the poison of choice for all European nobility during the Middle Ages.

His popularity was based various factors– both power and availability. For example, in Great Britain, arsenic was sold in pharmacies as a rodent poison.

However, while in Europe arsenic brought only death and suffering, traditional Chinese medicine used it to treat diseases such as syphilis and psoriasis for two thousand years. Nowadays, scientists have experimentally proven that leukemia can be treated with arsenic. And it was Chinese doctors who discovered that such a strong poison was able to successfully block proteins responsible for the growth and reproduction of cancer cells.

Quite a sensational poison in its time.

Anthrax is a frequent guest in the media due to a large batch of letters infected with it and sent innocent victims in the USA. As a result of this attack, 10 people died and another 17 were seriously infected.

In this regard, a huge general paranoia broke out in the country, affecting millions. And, I must admit, it’s not in vain. After all anthrax is caused by bacteria, and one breath is enough for complete infection. Such a strong poison is spread by spores that are released into the air.

After infection, the victim feels only a chill, which gradually turns into breathing problems, and then to a stop. The mortality rate from this disease reaches as much as 90% in the first week from the moment of infection.

This famous toxin has become literally synonymous with poison.

Potassium cyanide can be in the form of a colorless gas with the smell of bitter almonds (does everyone remember Agatha Christie's novels?), or crystals. Cyanide is present almost everywhere: this poison is capable of naturally form in some foods and plants.

Also, cyanide is present in cigarettes. It is used in the manufacture of plastics, printing photographs, and, of course, potassium cyanide is a must in the composition of insect baiting agents.

Cyanide poisoning can occur through inhalation, ingestion, or even simple touching. The slightest dose is enough for the poison, once in the body, to paralyze the blood flow and block the access of oxygen. Death occurs almost instantly.

Potassium cyanide was actively used during World War I, and was banned along with all chemical weapons later, in accordance with the Geneva Convention.

Sarin is one of the most powerful nerve gases, which is considered a weapon of mass destruction. Death from this poison is always incredibly painful and brings terrible agony to the victim. Causing complete suffocation, Sarin kills a person in just a minute, which, however, seems like an eternity to the victim.

Despite the fact that the production of Sarin has been prohibited by law since 1993, since then quite a few cases of its use have been recorded. For example, in terrorist attacks or chemical wars. The chemical attack of 1995 in the Tokyo subway and the uprisings in Syria and Iraq stand out especially strongly against this background.

Strychnine was originally extracted from trees that grew in Southeast Asia and India.

Pure strychnine powder white, has a bitter taste and is fatal when ingested by any route, whether by injection or inhalation.

Despite the fact that the original purpose of strychnine was to use it as a pesticide, it has been added to drugs such as cocaine and heroin on many occasions.

When poisoned with strychnine, many symptoms may appear within thirty minutes, such as: muscle spasms, respiratory failure, nausea, vomiting, and it is not uncommon that the entire process of spreading the poison throughout the body ends in brain death. And all this in just half an hour!

The mushroom, which contains such a powerful poison, looks, unfortunately, no more dangerous than its edible counterparts. However, just thirty grams of the deadly mushroom can send a person to the “other world.”

Amatoxin has an incredibly destructive effect on the human body. This poison can cause serious damage to the kidneys and liver and cause death of organ cells in just a couple of days. Also, it often causes multiple organ failure and even coma.

Amatoxin is such a strong poison that it can seriously harm the heart. In this case, the victim will face certain death, without the immediate administration of an antidote, which, by the way, is a large dose of penicillin. Without an antidote, victims of amatoxin have a 100% chance of falling into a coma and dying from liver or heart failure within a few days.

"Supplier" of this known poison are Puffer fish, which at first glance may not seem like much to you dangerous predators. However, their skin, intestines, liver and other organs contain one of the most dangerous and deadly poisons known to mankind.

If improperly prepared, Fugu fish can cause convulsions, paralysis, various mental disorders and many other health problems in those who dare to try it. Despite this danger, because tetrodotoxin is a deadly poison, people in many countries continue to order this fish, sometimes even paying an insurance premium in advance.

And although the delicacy is Japanese, and it would seem that it is in Japan that everyone should know how to properly prepare such a “risky” dish, it is in this country that it is registered nai more victims per year. About three hundred people are poisoned by tetrodotoxin every year, and more than half of them die.

Being a derivative of the castor bean, a perennial, highly poisonous plant, ricin is also considered a natural poison. Therefore, people risk being exposed to it in several ways: through food, air or water. And, depending on this route, the symptoms of ricin poisoning may vary.

However, the principle of damage to the body remains unchanged. Ricin poisons the body, blocking the ability of cells to synthesize proteins necessary for life. As a result, such “blocked” cells die, and this, in turn, often leads to failure of the entire organ that was subjected to the poisonous attack of ricin.

And the fact that ricin is most lethal when inhaled served as a signal for many people who began sending the poison by mail in envelopes, as they once did with anthrax. After all, just one pinch of ricin can kill a person.

If we take all these facts into account, it becomes clear why the decision was made to study ricin as a tool for chemical warfare.

In this article we have listed many poisons that have simply incredible power and can kill in record time. short terms. However, many experts in the field of toxicology unanimously agree that botulinum toxin can be called the deadliest poison in the world. By the way, this is what is used in Botox injections to smooth out wrinkles.

This poison leads to botulism, a disease that causes respiratory failure, neurological disorders and other more severe damage.

Several factors led to Botulinum toxin becoming the most dangerous poison on Earth. Its volatile and easily accessible nature, its powerful effects on the body and its frequent use in medicine. For example, just one test tube full of this toxin could potentially kill about a hundred people.

The scope of application of botulinum toxin is multifaceted - starting from the well-known Botox and ending as a method of treating migraines. Therefore, even deaths among patients as a result of procedures that included Botox injections are not uncommon.

The world-famous medieval physician and alchemist Paracelsus once said: “Everything is poison, everything is medicine; both are determined by the dose.” Even too much water can cause death. However, some substances will require a tiny amount - this will be enough to cause death. Sometimes just one drop is enough to fall on hands unprotected by gloves - these are the substances that are classified as very toxic. Among the deadly substances there are also organic substances plant nature, and heavy metals, and gases synthesized by man. We have prepared for you a list of the most dangerous of them - the 25 most deadly toxic substances.

The most poisonous substance in the world for humans is cyanide.

The most common forms of cyanide are a colorless gas or crystals, but regardless of the form, the substance is mortal danger. To some people, cyanide smells like bitter almonds.

Cyanide poisoning is accompanied by characteristic symptoms: headache, nausea, rapid breathing, rapid heartbeat, and a feeling of general malaise. Without timely medical intervention, cyanide will kill the body, causing oxygen starvation of cells. Vial of cyanide

Cyanide is contained in apple seeds, but do not rush to rinse your stomach after eating a few seeds - the concentration of the dangerous substance in them is extremely insignificant. You would have to eat more than ten whole apple stalks before you feel the effects of cyanide poisoning. But, of course, you shouldn’t do this.

Hydrofluoric acid, or hydrofluoric acid, is a chemical required to produce polytetrafluoroethylene, more commonly known as Teflon. It is also an extremely toxic poison.
Container with hydrofluoric acid

If a liquid containing even a small amount of hydrofluoric acid gets on the skin, there is a high probability that the poison will enter through the capillaries. circulatory system. When it reacts with calcium, it will begin to break down your bones.

Fortunately, getting this substance on the skin is painless, and the process of penetration through the skin is not instantaneous, so you will have enough time to wash this dangerous substance off yourself.

Arsenic has been known since ancient times. It occurs naturally in pure form and in the form of sulfides. It is a crystalline semimetal in form. Medieval alchemists, including the already mentioned Paracelsus, were involved in the synthesis of arsenic.
Glass vial of arsenic

This substance, until the end of the 19th century, was the most common poison used to commit murders. A victim poisoned with arsenic dies from several hours to several days. This practice dates back to the Late Middle Ages and Renaissance. The characteristic symptoms of arsenic poisoning were severe vomiting and diarrhea, which at the time could easily be confused with symptoms of cholera or dysentery.

Belladonna

This plant has also been known since ancient times, and it was used both in Europe and in Rus'. All parts of belladonna are very toxic, especially the roots. The least poisonous are the berries, and yet two berries will be enough to kill a one-year-old child.
Belladonna berries, flowers and leaves

In medieval Italy, the juice of this plant was dropped into the eyes of local fashionistas - thanks to the atropine content in it, the pupils dilated, and the gaze acquired an alluring shine. At the same time, it is atropine alkaloids that lead to poisoning - they actively affect nervous system, first provoking an excited state, and then leading to rage and cardiac arrest. It’s not for nothing that one of the names of this plant is Crazy Berry.

Carbon monoxide or carbon monoxide is a silent killer. Physical form This substance is a gas without taste, color or odor. This gas is released when coal is burned, for example - it is the cause of many deaths in fires.
Clipping from an old magazine warning about the dangers of carbon monoxide

This substance disrupts the process of oxygen transfer, which causes oxygen starvation in cells. Symptoms of poisoning are general physical weakness, dizziness and headache, nausea, drowsiness. Fortunately, carbon monoxide poisoning is reversible - timely resuscitation measures can “bring back to life” a person who has inhaled carbon monoxide.

The fruits of the Manchineel tree, also called manchinella, look like green apples, but don’t rush to taste them. It's best to stay away from this tree altogether - it is one of the most poisonous plants on Earth and certainly the most poisonous in North America.

Manchinella grows in Florida, but you need to be wary of the sap of this tree. Even the wind blowing on you from the direction of this terrible plant can lead to severe itching, and contact with the milky juice on the skin will cause painful blisters, dermatitis and severe burns. Smoke from burning branches of this tree can cause blindness if it comes into contact with the eyes. Well, it’s not worth talking about the fruits.
Manchineel tree danger warning

Interesting fact: local Indians, during the Spanish conquest of these lands, used an extract from manchinella root as one of the ingredients terrible poison, which lubricated arrowheads. From one such arrow that hit the leg, a famous man died for a long time and painfully. spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon.

This substance is the most active non-metal, interacting with literally anything. If it comes into contact with the skin, such gas will cause a severe chemical burn. It can also contribute to eye damage, including blindness. If you're addicted organic chemistry- remember, fluoride is not to be trifled with.

This compound is found both in industrial pesticides and in the sap of some plants in Australia and South Africa (Dichapetalum cymosum). Consumption of the latter leads to the death of about 8% of livestock grazing in the areas where it grows. What is characteristic is that there is no antidote for this substance. For humans, the lethal dose is 5 mg per 1 kg.
Fluoroacetic acid warning

The most dangerous poison created by man is called dioxin - only 50 micrograms are required for an adult. This is the third most toxic poison known to science - it is 60 times more toxic than cyanide!
Warning about contamination of the area with dioxins

This substance, or rather a whole group of substances, denoted by a single term for ease of perception, belongs to the group of xenobiotics, that is, substances alien to the natural biotic substances of the Earth. This is a consequence chemical industry and waste recycling. Also, dioxins are a cumulative poison, that is, they gradually accumulate both in environment, and in the organisms of living beings, leading to terrible changes.

Dimethylmercury

This colorless liquid is a powerful neurotoxin. Even thick latex gloves will not save you from its effects. This fact confirmed by the tragic death of inorganic chemist Karen Wetterhahn in 1996. A few drops of the substance that fell on the scientist’s glove led to death - after 4 months, symptoms of poisoning began to appear, and six months later the woman died.

Aconite, also known as Fighter, is a whole family of plants, many of which are prized for their beautiful flowers. However, all of them are extremely toxic, however, this only applies to juice. The most poisonous parts of plants are the tubers; the active substance is the aconitine alkaloid.
Aconite plant containing aconitine

According to legend, these plants sprouted from the saliva of Cerberus, whom Hercules brought from the underground kingdom of Hades. What does this legend indicate? The fact that the plant was widely known already in Ancient Greece.

Some modern “healers” promote the idea of treating cancer and many other diseases with tincture of aconite. The clinical effectiveness of this treatment has not been proven and is associated with risks to your health.

Substances of this group are found in poisonous mushrooms, including toadstool, among others. The effect of this poison on the body is extremely destructive - the work of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and heart is paralyzed. Necrosis of liver tissue occurs.
Pale toadstools containing amatoxin

In case of poisoning, the first symptoms appear very sharply after 5 hours or more - depending on the degree of poisoning, its active phase can begin even after a day. The condition is rapidly deteriorating - bloody diarrhea, terrible pain in the abdominal cavity, severe vomiting. Mushroom poisoning with amatoxin in most cases is severe and requires immediate medical intervention.

Three out of four people who contract this bacterium die, even if they are hospitalized and treated. You can become infected from livestock used in agriculture. However, the disease is very acute, so that foci of infection, if they occur, can be promptly identified and destroyed, along with the carriers.
Fencing a quarantine zone due to an anthrax outbreak

Hemlock

You may know this plant under the name Hemlock, or Omega. It is a distant relative of celery and is the carrier of one of the most powerful poisons in the plant kingdom. According to legend, the ancient Greek thinker Socrates was once poisoned with it.

This plant is popular as a murder weapon. Most often it is added to the victim's food under the guise of salad. Poisoning leads to severe convulsions, pain and death. Even if the poisoned person survives, the consequences in the form of amnesia, severe tremors and clouding of reason can haunt him for the rest of his life.
Hemlock plant containing hemlock

IN early XIX Hemlock-based drugs have been used as pain relievers for centuries.

This is the main ingredient of rat poison, a powerful pesticide. Was synthesized from seeds tropical tree chilibuha, also known as vomit nut. Strychnine will have no less effective effect on humans than on pests - death from a dose of 50 mg can occur for an adult half an hour after poisoning.
Strychnine bottle

You can become poisoned by strychnine by inhaling its fumes, applying it to the skin, or inadvertently taking it orally. Symptoms appear almost immediately - vomiting and painful convulsions.

Strychnine is one of the most popular poisons, often appearing in literary works, cinema and even comics.

A powerful paralytic poison produced by dinophyte algae. The most potent non-protein toxin, having the most complex cell structure for a non-protein compound produced by a living organism.
Dinoflagellates - plankton that produce maytotoxin

In addition, it is the most terrible “sea” poison. Its source is essentially plankton. Fortunately, poisoning requires an extremely high concentration of these microorganisms, so the risk of accidental poisoning is virtually zero.

Previously, mercury was actively used in thermometers and medical thermometers. Moreover, mercury is the only volatile metal whose vapor poisoning can be fatal. Mercury can cause tissue necrosis, blindness, kidney failure, amnesia and central nervous system paralysis.
This is what liquid mercury looks like

Interesting fact: after analyzing the remains of Tsar Ivan the Terrible, scientists came to the conclusion that the last representative of the Rurikovich family for a long time they poisoned him with mercury, from which he eventually died.

Another deadly metal, but this time it is radioactive. In the last 50 years it has been a popular weapon for demonstrative murder. Alexander Litvinenko, Yasser Arafat, Alexander Goldfarb and others died from polonium poisoning.
Polonium in its natural state

Polonium-210 is 250 thousand times more toxic than hydrocyanic acid. For the death of an adult male, 10 mcg of this isotope entering his body will be sufficient. So, to kill ten million people you would need about a gram of polonium. Typically, the alpha particles of this substance are not able to penetrate the skin, so for polonium poisoning it is necessary to enter the body, for example, through the respiratory tract or oral cavity.

This poison is found in all parts of Cerberus trees, named after the guardian of the gates of the kingdom of Hades. Even the smoke from this tree can cause serious poisoning. The effect of the poison leads to cardiac arrest.
Fruits of the Cerberus tree

In Madagascar, until 1861, eating Cerberus fruits was used in trials and was a kind of analogue of the “witch bath” medieval Europe. If the accused survived after taking it, he was considered innocent, but if he did not survive, it is obvious that guilt can be considered proven.

Botulinum toxin

The most powerful organic poison, neurotoxin. For an adult, the lethal dose will be approximately 0.05 mcg. Entering the body leads to paralysis and further death.
In this form, butulinum toxin is used in aesthetic medicine.

Botox, used in aesthetic medicine, is butulinum toxin, albeit slightly modified.

The bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which produces butulinum toxin, prefer an airless environment. That is why, when spores penetrate canned twists, they activate vital processes, releasing a deadly poison.

Tetrodotoxin

This is the world-famous poison of fugu fish, considered a delicacy in Japan. Once in the body, tetrodotoxin causes respiratory arrest. There is no antidote, but the poisoned person can be saved by supporting the functioning of the respiratory system artificially for some time. However, every year in Japan, several people die from fugu fish poisoning. Several dozen more people are saved.
Fugu fish contains deadly tetrodotoxin

Fugu fish does not produce tetrodotoxin, but only accumulates it from the plankton it consumes, the toxicity of some species of which we have already discussed earlier.

Chemical weapons, military nerve gas. It was created in the mid-30s and was used on the battlefields of World War II and in wars of recent history and major terrorist attacks. It was recognized as a weapon of mass destruction.
US Honest John missile demonstration warhead, showing M139 sarin canisters (circa 1960s photo)

This gas is colorless, tasteless and odorless. Death from sarin poisoning is terrible and very fast. Antidotes exist, but comprehensive treatment of those poisoned by sarin on the battlefield is virtually impossible. Sarin is one of the substances prohibited from production and stockpiling under the Chemical Weapons Convention adopted by the UN in 1997.

This poison is produced by a small yellow frog that lives in tropical forests in the southwest of Colombia - the Terrible Leaf Climber. The poison secreted by the skin glands of the frog and serving as its protection from predators is one of the strongest organic non-protein poisons.
A terrible leaf climber that produces batrachotoxin

The action of the poison paralyzes the respiratory system, muscles and heart, leading to its stop. Local Indians use this poison by running a blowpipe dart across the frog's back. After being wounded by such a dart, a person dies in less than 10 minutes. There is no effective antidote, but scientists have now developed synthetic analogs of batrachotoxin that are twice as toxic.

One of the strongest phytotoxins. It is especially dangerous in aerosol form. Found naturally in castor beans and castor beans. You probably know another derivative of this plant - castor oil.
Castor beans containing ricin

The toxicity of ricin is 6 times higher than that of potassium cyanide. Of course, this substance is used as a weapon. The most resonant case of its use is the murder of the Bulgarian dissident Georgiy Markov.

VI-gas

Chemical warfare agent VX is the most powerful man-made poison ever synthesized by man. Weapons based on this gas are still in service with the armies of the United States and Russia, although according to official data, in 2017 the Russian army completely destroyed its reserves chemical weapons, including VX and its analogues.
This is what the storage facility for the most terrible chemical weapons on Earth looks like

It was this poison that killed him at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in 2017 stepbrother Kim Jong-un, leader of North Korea.

As you can see, there is enough in the world hazardous substances organic origin. But the most powerful poisons are created by man. Today there are several international agreements prohibiting the production and condemning the use of chemical weapons. But its reserves are still large and cases of its use continue to be recorded. How to avoid becoming a victim of poisoning with the substances described in this article? Be vigilant when working with various chemical reagents, do not eat puffer fish meat, do not pet toads and hope that “ strong of the world This is enough prudence to never use any of the arsenal of weapons of mass destruction that they have at their disposal.

There are a sufficient number of natural and artificially produced poisons in the world. The effects of all toxic substances are different. Some can instantly take life, while others destroy the body gradually, forcing a person to suffer for a long time. There are potent substances that in small doses poison a person asymptomatically, but there are also the most dangerous poisons that cause severe pain, which even in small quantities can be fatal.

Chemical compounds and gases

Cyanide

Hydrocyanic acid salts are an extremely dangerous poison. Many lives have been taken using this potent substance. On the battlefield, they poisoned the enemy with cyanide, spraying poison that instantly killed soldiers, getting on the mucous membranes and affecting respiratory system. Currently, cyanide is used in analytical chemistry, in the mining of gold and silver, in electrochemistry, and in organic synthesis.

One of the salts of hydrocyanic acid - potassium salt, known as potassium cyanide, is a powerful inorganic poison. He looks like granulated sugar, and it can safely be classified as an instant-acting poison. Entering the human body through the gastrointestinal tract, death occurs instantly; only 1.7 mg per 1 kg of weight is enough. Potassium cyanide prevents oxygen from entering tissues and cells, resulting in death from oxygen starvation. Antidotes for this poison are compounds containing hydrocarbons, sulfur and ammonia. Glucose is considered the strongest anticyanide, so in case of poisoning, its solution is administered intravenously to the victim.

Apparently, in order to avoid prolonged death throes, this poison was chosen by some famous Nazis to commit suicide, since it acts instantly. According to one version, Adolf Hitler himself was among them.

The vapors of this poisonous element are extremely toxic and insidious, because they have no odor. Mercury affects the body through the lungs, kidneys, skin and mucous membranes. Soluble compounds of this substance are more dangerous than pure metal, but it tends to gradually evaporate and poison a person.

It is especially harmful for the population when mercury compounds enter a body of water. IN aquatic environment the metal is converted into methylmercury, and then this powerful organic poison accumulates in the organisms of the inhabitants of the reservoir. If people use this water for domestic needs and go fishing in such places, then this is fraught with mass poisoning. Regular inhalation of mercury vapor is a slow-acting poison. Toxins accumulate in the body, leading to nervous disorders, up to the onset of schizophrenia or complete insanity.

Exposure of a pregnant woman to mercury can lead to irreversible consequences, as it spreads quickly through the blood and easily penetrates the placenta. Even seemingly harmless broken thermometer, which contains a small amount of this potent toxic substance, can provoke the development of defects in a child inside the womb.

Sarin

The extremely poisonous sarin gas, which was developed by two German scientists, kills a person in one minute. It was used as a chemical weapon in World War II and civil wars, after which both the USA and the USSR began to produce sarin and stockpile it in case of war. Following an experimental incident that resulted in death, production of this poison was discontinued. Nevertheless, Japanese terrorists managed to obtain this poison in the mid-nineties - the terrorist attack on the Tokyo subway, during which about 6,000 people were poisoned with sarin, received wide attention.

Sarin affects the body both through the skin and through the respiratory system, affecting the nervous system. Severe intoxication is observed due to ingestion of this substance by inhalation. This nerve gas kills a person quickly, but at the same time brings hellish torment. First of all, the gas affects the mucous membranes, a person begins to have a runny nose and blurred eyes, then vomiting and severe pain behind the sternum appear, and the last stage is death from suffocation.

Ingestion of this poison in large quantities is fatal. It is a fine white powder that can be purchased even at a pharmacy with a prescription. With constant poisoning in small doses, arsenic can provoke the appearance of diseases such as cancer and diabetes mellitus. This poison is often used in dentistry - arsenic is used to destroy the inflamed dental nerve.

Formaldehyde and phenols

With these household poisons Literally everyone has encountered dangers for humans.

Phenols are contained in varnishes and paints, without which no cosmetic repair can be done. Formaldehyde can be found in plastics, fiberboard and chipboard.

With prolonged inhalation of these potent toxic substances, breathing is impaired, various types of allergic reactions, dizziness and nausea. Constant contact with these poisons can result in malfunctions of the reproductive system, and with severe intoxication, a person can die from swelling of the larynx.

Poisons of plant and animal origin

Amatoxin

Amatoxin is a poison that affects the gastrointestinal tract. The source of poisoning is some types of mushrooms, for example, toadstool and white toadstool. Even in acute poisoning, amatoxin has a slow effect on an adult, which makes it possible to classify this potent substance as a delayed-action poison. In case of poisoning, severe vomiting, pain in the stomach and intestines, and continuous bloody diarrhea are observed. On the second day, the victim’s liver enlarges and the kidneys fail, after which coma and death occur.

A positive prognosis is observed with timely treatment. Despite the fact that amatoxin, like everything, is slow active poisons, applies irreparable harm Gradually, lightning deaths also occurred, mainly among children.

Batrachotoxin is a powerful poison that belongs to the alkaloid family. It is almost impossible to meet him in everyday life. It is secreted through the glands of frogs of the genus leafhopper. This substance, like other instant-acting poisons, instantly affects the nervous system, causes heart failure and leads to death.

Ricin

This plant poison is six times more toxic than the instant killer cyanide. One pinch is enough to kill an adult.

Ricin was actively used as a weapon in war; with its help, intelligence services got rid of individuals posing a threat to the state. They found out about him quite quickly, because lethal doses of this potent substance were purposefully sent to the recipients along with letters.

Bacillus anthrax

This is the causative agent of an infectious disease that poses a huge danger to domestic animals and humans. Anthrax is very acute and, as a rule, the infected person dies. Incubation period lasts up to four days. Infection most often occurs through damaged areas of the skin, and less often through the respiratory tract.

With the pulmonary form of infection, the prognosis is unfavorable and mortality rates reach 95%. Most often, the bacillus is localized in certain areas of the skin, so anthrax is one of the most dangerous contact poisons, fatal to humans. With adequate and timely treatment, a person is on the path to recovery. The infection can affect the intestines and affect internal organs, which leads to sepsis. Another severe form, which is cured only in very rare cases, is anthrax meningitis.

Despite the fact that mass infection with this poison in everyday life, fortunately, has not been observed for a long time, cases of this terrible disease are still being recorded in Russia.

The Sanitary and Epidemiological Service regularly conducts veterinary surveillance on the territory of pig farms and agricultural enterprises that keep cattle.

You should not assume that potent toxic substances are only the hard-to-reach poisons listed above. Any chemical in large quantities can be a deadly poison for humans in everyday life. This includes chlorine, which is used for disinfection, and various detergents, and even vinegar essence. To be wary of toxic substances, to take precautions when handling them and to hide them from children is the strict responsibility of every conscious adult.

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 from poison sea wasp About 6,000 vacationers die. 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.

A case was recorded where he died within three hours indian elephant because I was amazed 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 the territory 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 he leads nightlife, so it's not easy to come across 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 tropical Central and South America, 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, seeing 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 takes last place rating "the most poisonous creature in the world." A 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 occurs, and the tissues at the site of the lesion begin to die, without medical care the person is in danger of death.

This dangerous “beast” is found in the waters of the Red Sea and in the tropical regions of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.