Extensive Exposure to Tear Gases in Ankara

Tear gas safety and usage practices

“…In humans, the acute effects of DCA exposure are similar to the effects documented in animal studieseye redness, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath, phlegm, and chest pain (Karagama, Newton, and Newbegin 2003;Arbak et al 2014;Kearney et al 2014;Ilgaz et al 2019). However, few studies systematically and rigorously analyze their long-term health impacts.…”

“…These persistent symptoms included worsening of asthma, decreased exercise tolerance, and coughing. Interestingly, chest pain was more often listed as a symptom more than 24 hours after DCA exposure, rather than immediately after exposure, in multiple studies (Wheeler et al 1998;Ilgaz et al 2019). This delay in symptom onset could confound studies that only assess acute responses or rely on self-reporting, and lead to an underestimation of the health impacts.…”

“…There are conflicting opinions about the safety of DCAs due to conflicting evidence about the long-term effects of DCA exposure (Karagama, Newton, and Newbegin 2003;Schep, Slaughter, and McBride 2013b;Arbak et al 2014). Despite these differences, many experts agree that new data are needed that rigorously test the long-term effects of newer DCAs on a variety of human populations (Rothenberg et al 2016b;Arbak et al 2014;Ilgaz et al 2019;Unuvar et al 2013;Olajos and Salem 2001a;Dimitroglou, Rachiotis, and Hadjichristodoulou 2015;Zakhama et al 2016). Despite these persistent calls, few new studies have been conducted, and these substances continue to be used (Lai, Marsh, and Singhvi 2020).…”

“…Despite these persistent calls, few new studies have been conducted, and these substances continue to be used (Lai, Marsh, and Singhvi 2020). Only with more complete data can tear gas conclusively be called "safe" and "less-lethal" (Ilgaz et al 2019). However, the data currently available indicate the persistence of more severe and longlasting health impacts than are currently widely acknowledged.…”

Airway Obstruction and Patchy Parenchymal Infiltrations Related to Tear Gas Exposure

“…In the long-term follow-up of 93 cases exposed to similar agents, Arbak et al (7) showed that the rate of % predicted maximal mid expiratory flow rate (MMFR) in people exposed to gas with no smoking history is significantly less in comparison to the mean FEV1/FVC and % predicted MMFR in people exposed to gas that are tobacco users (7). Finally, in the examination of 86 patients exposed to gas where Ilgaz et al (8) reported that the respiratory function test findings of people exposed to gas were more adversely affected if they were exposed to gas or used tobacco in the indoor environment. In the Turkish and English literature, there is no patient with lung parenchymal pathology similar to our case after exposure to tear gases.…”