The Russian military discovered the potential use of trichothecene mycotoxins as biological toxins shortly after World War II, when civilians ate bread baked from flour contaminated with species of fusarium mold. These substances are relatively insoluble in water but highly soluble in ethanol, methanol, and propylene glycol. Heating to 500 o F for 30 minutes will inactivate the toxins, while exposure to sodium hypochlorite destroys toxic activity. This discussion focuses on the T-2 mycotoxin, a highly toxic agent that causes several illnesses in humans and animals. The pain associated with the exposure occurs within seconds to minutes.
Larger doses produce incapacitation and death within minutes to hours.
A larger amount of T-2 toxin is required for a lethal dose than of the chemical warfare agents VX, soman, or sarin. The T-2 toxin also produces effects after ingestion or eye contact. Severe poisoning results in prostration, weakness, jerky movement, collapse, shock, and death. No chemotherapy, vaccine, or specific antidote is available.