Fast Facts: Thallium as a Poison
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FOX Fast Facts on Thallium
- Thallium is a colorless, tasteless substance that can be fatal in doses of as little as one gram.
- Thallium was initially suspected in last year's fatal poisoning in London of former Russian security agent Alexander Litvinenko.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}- For poisoning purposes, thallium would be in a powdery or crystallized state.
- Thallium as a poison works by knocking out the body's supply of potassium, essential for healthy cells, and attacking the nervous system, the stomach and kidneys.
- Thallium's effects are not immediately noticeable and frequently take weeks to kick in; symptoms include hair loss and a burning sensation in extremities.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}- Thallium has been used in rat poison in the past, and it is still used to make lenses, semiconductors, dyes and pigments.
- Thallium was used by Saddam Hussein, who poisoned several of his Iraqi opponents. The CIA also reportedly considered using thallium against Fidel Castro.
[Source: Associated Press]