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Bronchial epithelial cells availa tegor s par or bea ted i in num used as a biological threat agent. The ease with which aerosol dispersal of ricin could affect large populations justifies the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) placement of ricin as a category B agent (Khan et al., 2000). ribosomes (Olsnes, 2004). Because ricin binds to many cell-surface receptors, almost all mammalian cell types are susceptible to ricin intoxication. The symptoms and severity of ricin intoxication depend on the delivery route. Aerosolized ricin is considered a serious threat because it induces severe lung damage (Audi et al., 2005). Depending upon the dose, symptoms may include pulmonary edema and hypoxic respirator