Where It Comes From
Seeds of the Strychnos nux‑vomica tree; sold as restricted‑use pesticide baits for below‑ground application [1][3].
How You Are Exposed
Swallowing baits or contaminated food/drink; breathing dust during handling; getting it in eyes or on skin; rare adulteration of illicit drugs [1][2][4].
Why It Matters
Symptoms can start within minutes to hours—agitation, painful muscle jerks triggered by touch/sound, seizures, breathing failure; can be fatal. Main concern is acute poisoning rather than long‑term cancer risk [1][2][3].
Who Is at Risk
Pesticide applicators and farmers; children and pets attracted to baits; people in areas where products are misused; users of illicit drugs when adulteration occurs [1][3][4].
How to Lower Your Exposure
Follow pesticide labels exactly; place baits only as directed (below ground or in tamper‑resistant placements); keep children/pets away; wear gloves/avoid inhaling dust; wash hands after handling; never use strychnine for above‑ground control; seek immediate medical care or call Poison Control if exposure is suspected [2][3].
References
- [1]ATSDR. ToxFAQs for Strychnine. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsDetails.aspx?faqid=66&toxid=15
- [2]CDC/NIOSH. Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Strychnine. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0574.html
- [3]US EPA. Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for Strychnine. https://archive.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/web/pdf/stry_red.pdf
- [4]CDC. Strychnine poisoning from contaminated heroin—New York City, 1999. MMWR. 2000;49(23):489–493. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4923a1.htm