1 mg is enough to poison with the substance Navalny died from. Here's what a chemist who worked with its discoverer said

Photo: Markus Schreiber / AP

Just 1 mg of epibatidine, which poisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, can lead to a person's death. This dose of poison would be undetectable, for example, in a glass of water, Richard Fitch, professor at Indiana University, told «Agents Media». Fitch worked under the guidance of epibatidine discoverer John Daly from 1998 to 2003.

«Epibatidine is a solid substance both in free base form and in hydrochloride salt form, which is commercially available in quantities necessary for scientific research,» Fitch says. The salt retains its effectiveness for at least several days.

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Richard Fitch

How dangerous is the poison for those nearby? 

«Epibatidine is so toxic that careless handling poses a significant danger to those nearby. Much depends on the exact quantity of the substance used.» «Obtaining the material from a supplier would not pose a great risk, as it would presumably be carefully packaged. Any moment after opening the container with the material already involves significant risks during manipulation… Powders are easier to work with, but they can generate dust, which can lead to contamination of other areas.»

But «if a person did not eat poisoned food or was not pricked with an infected needle, they would most likely not receive a toxic dose,» the scientist believes.

Is there an antidote?

«Epibatidine acts on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and is blocked by mecamylamine, so the latter should be considered as a potential antidote… But, surprisingly, there is no universally accepted antidote in widespread practice.»

How could the poison have been administered?

«Absorption through the skin would be the least effective, while injection would be the most effective method.

Oral administration (with food. — «Agents Media») is the most practical, given the small amount required, which could probably be hidden in food or drink. Considering the amount needed for toxicity (about 1 mg), oral administration would be practically imperceptible.»

Time between contact with the substance and first symptoms

 «The dynamics of the effect depend on the method of entry into the body. Injection is most likely to act (instantly), followed by oral administration (minutes), and skin absorption (hours).»

How Navalny died. On February 16, 2024, at approximately 11:30, food began to be distributed in the colony's cells. At 12:10, Navalny was taken out for a walk. During the walk, the politician knocked on the door and said he felt unwell. At 14:23, resuscitation efforts were stopped.

Could epibatidine have caused Navalny's death with a 2-hour delay after food intake?

«Epibatidine first enters the stomach, whose acidic environment limits absorption. While in the stomach, it can nevertheless cause abdominal problems and malaise. Stomach emptying into the intestines takes a certain amount of time — it depends on what and how much he ate… If it eventually entered the intestines, it would be neutralized as it passed through, and then better absorbed into the body. This could explain the delay.»

The symptoms described by Yulia Navalnaya — neuromuscular issues and convulsions — correspond to the action of epibatidine according to animal studies, the expert says. He noted that similar symptoms are also characteristic of a number of other substances affecting the nervous system.

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