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Name: Greg
Status: student
Age: 17
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 1999-2001
Question:
My teacher is Dr. Joanne Frigerio at Lyons Township High School. I was wondering since there are chemicals in apple seeds that produce cyanide. About how many apple seeds would you need to consume in order to have produce the lethal amount of cyanide in order to die (.5grams).

Replies:
Dear Greg,

I haven't seen a number for a lethal dose; however, the following links may be helpful:

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/bio99/bio99250.htm

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/gen99/gen99463.htm

http://net.unl.edu/wonderwise/14africa/a-plant.htm

http://ace.orst.edu/info/extoxnet/newsletters/n13_81.htm

There are a lot of other plants more likely fatal:

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/PLANTanswers/publications/poison/poison.html

Sincerely,

Anthony R. Brach, Ph.D.,


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