More dangerous than arsenic and cyanide: 2 kg of a toxin popular in cosmetology can kill all people

02.08.2024 16:28

Among the deadly poisons, arsenic, cyanide and strychnine are most commonly heard of.

However, few people know that there is a substance more dangerous than those mentioned.

This is botulinum toxin, which is often used in cosmetology.

How does botulinum toxin work?

This toxin paralyzes nerve cells. That is why it is used in cosmetology as beauty injections.

It is also found in poorly canned foods.

laboratory
Photo: Pixabay

Botulinum Toxin Toxicity

The toxicity of this substance is measured by the LD50 index. This dose can cause the death of 50 percent of the subjects.

For example, the LD50 value for salt is 3000 mg/kg, while the LD50 value for caffeine is 192 mg/kg.

At the same time, botulinum toxin has a LD50 toxicity of 1 nanogram/kg.

It only takes 0.00007 mg of botulinum toxin to kill a 70 kg person.

Scientists have calculated that 2 kg of botulinum toxin could kill all people on the planet.

Botulinum toxin is used in cosmetology in a highly diluted form. But this does not mean that it ceases to be dangerous to health.

Elena Gutyro Author: Elena Gutyro Editor of Internet resources


Content
  1. How does botulinum toxin work?
  2. Botulinum Toxin Toxicity