Biology: Concepts and Investigations 2nd Edition by Mariëlle Hoefnagels

Exercise 2

Botox is a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. When ingested with tainted food, Botox can kill by paralyzing muscles needed for breathing and heartbeat. Physicians inject small quantities of diluted Botox into facial muscles to paralyze them and
reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Some people have expressed concern about a trend in which people come together for "Botox parties" at hair salons and other nonmedical settings. What are the risks of getting injections in such a setting?