Riot control agent

Substances

Two lachrymatory agent most commonly used for riot control are pepper spray and various kinds of tear gas.

Pepper spray

Main article: Pepper spray

The active ingredient in pepper spray is pelargonic acid morpholide, was developed and is widely used in Russia. Its effectiveness compared to natural pepper spray is unclear and it has caused some injuries.

Pepper spray typically comes in canisters, which are often small enough to be carried or concealed in a pocket or purse. Pepper spray can also be bought concealed in items such as rings. There are also pepper spray projectiles available, which can be fired from a paintball gun. Having been used for years against demonstrators ^[2], it is increasingly being used by police in routine interventions.^[3]

Tear gas

Tear gas is a non-specific term for any aerosols, and not true gases.

Popular tear gases include the eye irritants CR). CN was formerly the most widely used tear gas. Today, CS has largely replaced CN and is probably the most widely used tear gas internationally.

Decontamination

At room temperature, these tear gases are white solid substances. They are stable when heated and have low vapor pressure. Consequently, they are generally dispersed as pH 9 is about 1 min.). CR is hydrolyzed only to a negligible extent in water solution.

CS can easily be inactivated by means of a water solution. Skin is suitably decontaminated by thorough washing with soap and water. CS is then decomposed whereas CN and CR are only removed.

Decontamination of material after contamination with CS can be done with a 5-10 % soda solution or 2 % alkaline solution. If this type of decontamination cannot be accomplished (e.g., contaminated rooms and furniture), then the only other means is by intensive air exchange—preferably with hot air.

Exposed streets and sidewalks will have toxic and irritating CS powder that will be stirred into the air by traffic and pedestrians long after the cloud has dissipated, and should be washed away with water.

In contrast to human beings, domesticated animals generally have low sensitivity to tear gases. Dogs and horses can therefore be used by police for riot control even when tear gas is used.^{[citation needed]}

Dispensing large quantities

Backpack dispensers for riot control agents, when the intent is to use a larger quantity than possible with grenades, are one type of device used by organizations that might, for example, need to cover a prison yard ^[4] Dispensers are also made for attachment to helicopters; see CBU-19 ^[5].

Video Game Usage

Many war video games use teargas as a weapon, such as Battlefield 2, which makes the player's vision blur when inside the cloud of teargas, and in Kane & Lynch: Dead Men, which pixelates the screen in the event of the player walking near tear gas.

See also

• Pepper spray
• Use of poison gas in World War I
• Review about Pharmacology, Toxicology, Biochemistry and Chemistry of several riot control agents:

Olajos EJ, Salem H (2001). "Riot Control Agents: Pharmacology, Toxicology, Biochemistry and Chemistry". J Appl Toxicol 21 (5): 355-91. doi:10.1002/jat.767. PMID 11746179.

References

1. ^ 9. "Purposes Not Prohibited Under this Convention" means
2. ^ http://www.babybloc.org/writings.html Use on infants
3. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsIBkRJGQEw Use on infants
4. ^ Commercial Backpack Blower / Sprayer System,US Army CBDCOM,June 1998.
5. ^ Operation TAILWIND Review Extract of U.S Air Force Report,Air Force Historical Office, July 1998