Definition
A highly toxic principle produced bymolds or fungi. One type, the aflatoxins, is pro-duced by the Aspergillus flavus fungus; another isa member of the trichothecene group produced bythe fusarium fungus. This has been identified insamples of the so-called “yellow rain” in South-east Asia, where it is said to have been the cause ofmany deaths among war refugees. Its presence thereis subject to some conjecture, since the fusariumfungus cannot germinate in the humid environmentof that area. There is substantial evidence (bloodtests, autopsies, and contaminated gas masks) thatthe former U.S.S.R. have used such lethal agents inAfghanistan also.
