Insariotoxin (T-2)

T-2 is a trichothecene mycotoxin. It is a naturally occurring mold byproduct of Fusarium spp fungus which is toxic to humans and animals. The clinical condition it causes is alimentary toxic aleukia and a host of symptoms related to organs as diverse as the skin, airway, and stomach ingestion may come from consumption of moldy whole grains. T-2 can penetrate into and permeate through the human skin.[2] Although no significant systemic effects are expected after dermal contact in normal agricultural or residential environments, local skin effects can not be excluded. Hence, the skin contact with T-2 should be limited. Consideration by Russian scientists of the possible usefulness of T-2 mycotoxin as a biological weapon followed an observation that, after a spring harvest delayed by World War II, flour contaminated with Fusarium was produced and distributed in bread, causing significant morbidity and mortality.