Fast Facts: Thallium as a Poison

Published January 13, 2015

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.

- 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.

- 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]

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https://www.foxnews.com/story/fast-facts-thallium-as-a-poison