Food security is a developing arena in combating potential terrorism. Governmental authorities are preparing protocols for food and agriculture emergency responders to better manage food contamination incidents. In 2002-3, a disgruntled worker at a Michigan food processing plant contaminated ground beef with potentially lethal amounts of a nicotine containing pesticide. In this incident 124 persons were sickened. The CDC MMWR indicates that the concentration of nicotine in the market ground beef was 300 mg/kg. Nicotine is a dangerous drug. A lethal dose of nicotine is 60 mg to a 150 pound woman. By dividing the 300 mg dosage between the 148 people who were affected, this rate is much lower than the lethal dose, at 2.02 mg. Regardless, this is an estimate based upon these individuals eating the same amount of ground beef, who weigh approximately 150 pounds (NicotineVictims, n.d.). In the Michigan case of nicotine poisoning, if a child was one of the victims, the outcome could definitely have been more severe (CDC, 2003). In a child, a lethal dose is 10 mg (InChem, n.d.). Although 2.03 mg of nicotine is lower than the 10 mg, severe problems will still exist in a child. Symptoms to look for in a nicotine overdose include burning of mouth, lips and throat; nausea; vomiting; dizziness; insomnia; anxiety; fatigue; abdominal pain; excessive salivation tachypnea (rapid breathing); dyspnea (shortness of breath); tachycardia (rapid heartbeat); bradycardia (slow heartbeat); tachyarrythmia (rapid heartbeat followed by irregular heartbeat); seizures, and death (EPA, n.d.).. Although there is no known antidote, there are certain medications that can be administered to counteract the symptoms, such as pain relievers, anti-nausea medications, and eye drops. Additionally, a hospital may oversee respiratory therapy, cardiac observation, and prescribed medication to make the patient feel more comfortable (InChem, n.d.). Furthermore, the doctor may also administer activated charcoal, and pump the patient’s stomach in the case of accidental ingestion. For dermal exposure, washing the skin will help deactivate the poisoning (Duldner, 2009). Although the actual risk of serious ailments with this poisoning were small, it still did make people very ill. However, medical attention should be sought for any overdose. Although nicotine poisoning can be deadly, by seeking immediate medical intervention the patient has a less likely chance of permanent, long term problems, and death (Duldner, 2009). Nicotine absorbed through skin, lungs, digestive tract, eyes (EPA, n.d.). Lethal dose for adults is 60 mg. and for a child is 10 mg. (InChem, n.d.). Non life threatening side effects include burning of mouth, lips and throat; nausea; vomiting; dizziness; insomnia; anxiety; fatigue; abdominal pain; excessive salivation (EPA, n.d.). Life threatening side effects include tachypnea; dyspnea; tachycardia; bradycardia; tachyarrythmia; death (EPA, n.d.). Chronic conditions include seizures; hypertension; refractory hypotension (EAP, n.d.). Treatment includes pulmonary respiration; digestive decontamination with activated charcoal; cardiac care and monitoring; atropine sulfate to help combat over-salivation and diarrhea; prescription treatments to control cardiac and seizure disorders (EPA, n.d.)