TEAR GASES AND HEALTH

• Main Authors: M P Gautam, U Ghimire
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nepal Medical Association 2004-05-01
• Series: Journal of Nepal Medical Association
• Online Access: http://jnma.com.np/jnma/index.php/jnma/article/view/481
• ISSN: 0028-2715; 1815-672X

Use of tear gases to control civil unrest is accepted practice by government authorities worldwide, in spite of their harmful effects in human health and its ban by different organization. The most commonly used riot control agents used as fumigant includes pepper spray, popularly known as OC (Oleoresin Capsicum) and different types of tear gases which are o-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile, known commonly as CS, omega-chloroacetophenone, known as CN, and dibenz 1,4-oxazepine, known as CR and different types of solvent used to disperse these agents. These gases are responsible for not only the acute and chronic health effects but also for the significant economic loss. Investigations shows that CS, CN, OC, CR and methylene chloride (the solvent used to disperse these agents) are responsible for acute and chronic health effects ranging from severe flu-like symptoms, to pulmonary edema and acute respiratory distress, to chromosome aneuploidy in germ and somatic cells, which may leads to birth defects in offspring and cancer. The only immediate physical symptoms developed by a victim of these gases are the irritating and immediately debilitating effects of the CN or CS itself. Apparently, the immediate acute effects of the gas wear off within ten to fifteen minutes. Although the chemical agents have been used for many years, full extent of effects on health is far beyond our understanding. All manufacturers and the police department must disclose the material data safety sheets of all chemicals used in crowd control and strictly follow the guidelines for deployment. Manufacturers should be responsible for the acute and chronic health effects of the chemicals they create and government should take responsibility for after care. Key Words: Tear gases, Health hazards, Nepal.