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Ricin seeds: Few of them are fatal to humans
Photo: HANDOUT / Reuters
According to media reports, an envelope containing the poison ricin has been sent to the White House.
The letter was addressed to US President Donald Trump and was intercepted this week.
The news channel CNN reported, citing security officials.
The "New York Times" wrote that the envelope came from Canada according to investigators.
The authorities tried to determine whether other similar letters could have been sent.
Letters with ricin had been sent to President Barack Obama and then New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2013.
All mail for the White House is now sorted and checked in a different location before it reaches the US president's seat, CNN said.
Ricin is deadly even at a low dose
Ricin is considered to be one of the most powerful naturally occurring toxins.
Like castor oil, it is obtained from the wonder tree plant.
Even a few seeds are fatal to humans.
Symptoms after poisoning include internal bleeding and severe vomiting.
Untreated death occurs through circulatory failure about 48 hours after poisoning.
No antidote is known.
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bah / Reuters / dpa