Exposure to tear gas

Police as a means for dispersing mobs in our country normally uses teargas. It causes temporary physical disability like blindness through the excessive flow of tears resulting from irritation of the eye. The Compounds that cause lacrimation (watering of the eye) include bromoacetone, benzyl bromide, chloroacetophenone, ethyl iodoacetate, chloropicrin bromobenzyl cyanide, and bromine-substituted xylenes.

• If you are exposed to any of the agents, you may experience:
• Stinging, burning in your eyes, nose, mouth and skin
• Excessive tearing, causing your vision to blur
• Running nose
• Increased salivation
• Coughing and difficulty in breathing
• Disorientation, confusion and sometimes panic
• The good news is that all this is temporary. Discomfort from tear gas usually disappears after 5-30 minutes. The effects diminish sooner with treatment. Of course, for most healthy people the effects of tear gas are temporary. However, for some people the effects can be long lasting and threatening. People with the conditions listed below should be aware of these risks and may want to try and avoid exposure.
• People with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, emphysema, etc. risk exacerbation, or permanent damage, if exposed.
• Vulnerable people such as infants, the elderly, and the immune compromised risk intensified and possibly life-threatening responses.
• Anyone with chronic health conditions or those on medications that weaken the immune system, (ie: chemotherapy, Lupus, HIV, radiation, or long-term corticosteroids such as prednisone) risk exacerbation of illness, intensified response and possible delayed recovery.
• Women who are or could be pregnant, or who are trying to get pregnant, may be at risk of spontaneous abortion, or increased risk of birth defects.
• Nursing mothers risk passing toxins on to their infant.
• People with skin conditions (ie: severe acne, psoriasis, or eczema) and eye conditions (ie: conjunctivitis or uveitis) risk an intensified response.
• People wearing contact lenses may experience increased eye irritation and damage due to chemicals being trapped under the lenses.
• If some body is really unable to escape from the toxic effect of tear gas and he is to cope with that some practical advices are given here.
• Clothing
• Shatter-resistant eye protection (e.g. sunglasses, swim goggles, or gas mask)
• Bandana to cover nose and mouth soaked in water or vinegar, it can aid breathing during chemical exposure.
• Heavy duty gloves if you plan to handle hot tear gas canisters.
• Fresh clothes in plastic bag (in case yours get contaminated by chemical weapons)
• What to bring:
• Lots of water in a plastic bottle with squirt or spray top, to drink and to wash your skin and eyes if need be.
• Water or alcohol based sunscreen.
• More water (the usefulness of water cannot be emphasised enough!)
• What not to do:
  1. Don't put vaseline, mineral oil, oil-based sunscreen or moisturisers on skin as they can trap chemicals.
  2. Don't wear contact lenses, which can trap irritating chemicals underneath.

Although about seventeen countries have banned using tear gas, we people of third world country are still compelled to consume its severe toxic effects. It is high time to think critically and find out any alternative means to disperse the agitated mob without lobbing teargas shell.

Md. Nazmul Alam Lecturer, Department of Chemistry