Public Health – Muskegon County Abrin Fact Sheet What is abrin? Vomiting Abrin is a natural poison that is found in the seeds of Diarrhea a plant called the rosary pea or jequirity pea. Abrin Severe dehydration is similar to ricin; however, abrin is more poisonous. Low blood pressure Possible death Abrin can be made in the form of a powder, a mist, a pellet, or it can be dissolved in water. Powdered How is abrin detected? abrin is yellowish-white in color. Abrin powder is yellowish-white in color. What are possible methods of exposure? What is the treatment for exposure to abrin? It would take a deliberate act to obtain abrin from If you have been exposed to abrin, contact the rosary pea seeds and use it to poison people. emergency medical authorities immediately. Accidental exposure to abrin is not likely. Abrin poisoning is treated by giving victims Breathing abrin in the form of a mist or a supportive medical care to minimize the effects of powder the poisoning. The types of supportive medical care Touching contaminated surfaces on which abrin would depend on the route by which victims are particles or droplets have landed poisoned. Eating or drinking abrin For more information on abrin: Abrin poisoning is not contagious and it cannot be spread by person-to-person contact. Center for Disease Control and Prevention www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/abrin/ What are possible symptoms of abrin exposure? CDC Public Information Inhalation: English 1-888-246-2675 Difficulty breathing Espanol 1-888-246-2857 Fever TTY 1-888-874-2646 Cough Nausea Public Health – Muskegon County Tightness in chest 209 E Apple Ave, Muskegon, MI 49442 www.muskegonhealth.net Ingestion: Phone: (231) 724-6246 .