Is CS gas dangerous?

Fraunfelder, Frederick “Fritz” T.

doi:10.1136/bmj.320.7233.458

Cited by 24 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…The British police force uses 5% CS spray, which also contains methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) and a propellant gas. There is little evidence in the literature of long‐term effects of exposure [1, 5, 6]. Studies are predominantly on 1% sprays [2].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Exposure causes lacrimation, eye pain, blepharospasm, burning sensations in the throat and nose, increased mucous secretions, headaches, dizziness, chest tightness, dyspnoea, coughing, sneezing, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms occur within 20 s and reportedly wear off within 30 min if exposure ceases and the individual involved is placed in fresh air [1, 5, 6]. The solvent (MIBK) is an industrial degreasing agent which itself is associated with nausea, headaches and respiratory irritation [2].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Postoperative complications after CS spray exposure

Davey

Moppett

2004

Anaesthesia

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SummaryWe report on airway complications associated with general anaesthesia in a subject who had been exposed to CS spray several hours before surgery. CS spray is a form of tear gas that is said to have a short half-life when the subject is removed from exposure. Induction of anaesthesia was uneventful. Marked laryngospasm occurred when the tracheal tube was removed at the end of the operation, and the anaesthetists experienced lacrimation and burning sensations typical of CS exposure. The effects on the attending anaesthetist made tracheal re-intubation difficult. There were no long-term adverse sequelae for the patient or anaesthetists. Suggestions are made for changes to anaesthetic practice and the advice given by the police about patients who have been exposed to CS spray.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Postoperative complications after CS spray exposure

Davey

Moppett

2004

Anaesthesia

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“…There are many types of riot control agent, but chlorobenzalmalononitrile or 2-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS) is one of the most widely used 1. CS gets its name from the first letters of the surnames of Corson and Stoughton, the two scientists who synthesised it in 1928.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…The compound is a solid at room temperature and therefore requires alteration, such as being dissolved in an organic solvent, to be used as an aerosol or as a microparticulate cloud2; as such, CS is actually not a gas. It can then be used as an effective riot control agent that is generally described as being non-lethal and non-toxic, and the medical literature has supported the safety of CS 1 3 4. Various publications suggest the contrary, however 5–7.…”

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confidence: 99%

Educating on CS or 'tear gas'

Sivathasan

2010

Emergency Medicine Journal

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Chlorobenzalmalononitrile or 2-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS) is a commonly used riot control agent. Although generally deemed to be safe for this application, it is known that CS can cause a number of adverse effects in those exposed to it. Understanding its properties and its side effects is important in ensuring optimal medical management of its complications and, indeed, this principle applies to every chemical. As the need for CS and other law enforcement devices increases, it is important for the emergency medicine team and other specialties to be aware of correct management protocols.

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“…Respiratory symptoms due to CS are nasal irritation, rhinorrhea, coughing and shortness of breath [6]. The effects of CS usually start after 20 to 60 seconds of exposure and resolve within 30 minutes [7]. Animal studies showed that the respiratory concentration of CS 25000 to 150000 mg/m 3 per minute would be lethal for 50% of healthy adults.…”

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confidence: 99%

Effects of Tear Gases on the Pulmonary System

Arbak¹

2013

Tur Toraks Der

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The acute effects of tear gases such as oleoresincapsicum and 2-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile are well known. Tear gases cause incapacitating inflammatory response in various tissues and organs including the lungs, eyes, nose, throat, skin and others. The final results on the pulmonary system are toxic pneumonitis, asthma aggravation, bronchitis, and rhinitis. Long term effects are irritant induced asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders. The best way to reduce the hazardous effects of these gases is not to use them at all. Key words: Tear gases, respiratory effects, lung diseasesOleoresincapsicum ve 2-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile gibi göz yaşartan gazların akut etkileri iyi bilinmektedir. Göz yaşartan gazlar akciğerler, gözler, burun, boğaz, cildi içeren çeşitli doku ve organlarda güçsüz bırakan yangısal yanıta yol açmaktadırlar. Solunum sistemi üstündeki son sonuçlar toksik pnömonitis, astım alevlenmesi, bronşit ve rinittir. Uzun dönemli etkileri ise irritanla indüklenen astım, kronik obstrüktif solunumsal hastalıklardır. Bu gazların zararlı etkilerini azaltmanın en iyi yolu onları hiç kullanmamaktır. AnAhtAr sözcüKler: Göz yaşartan gazlar, solunumsal etkiler, akciğer hastalıkları IntrodUctIonThe Turkish Police Department reported that they mostly used Oleoresincapsicum (OC) and 2-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS) as tear gases for controlling protest actions [1]. OC is an organic resin derived from the pepper plant and its toxicological effect is mainly dependent on the amount of capsiacinoids in it. The capsaicinoid content determines the "hotness" of the OC product, measured in Scoville units. OC for nonlethal weapon formulas can differ in potency from 16000 Scoville Heat Units (S.H.U) to1.5 million units, with a 5-10% solution generally recommended as an effective dose [2]. When used, OC causes incapacitating inflammatory response in various tissues and organs including the lungs, eyes, nose, throat, skin and others [3]. OC leads to wheezing, dry cough, shortness of breath, gasping, difficulty in breathing or speaking due to laryngospasm and rarely cyanosis, apnoea, and respiratory arrest in the respiratory system [4].Chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile is a white crystalline substance that is usually mixed with the other compounds in a grenade or canister for use. The preferable form for scattering populations is intended to be a smoke or fog of suspended particles. Being an extremely severe skin and mucous membrane irritant and lacrimator, even at minute doses, CS is found to be effective for controlling crowds [5]. Respiratory symptoms due to CS are nasal irritation, rhinorrhea, coughing and shortness of breath [6]. The effects of CS usually start after 20 to 60 seconds of exposure and resolve within 30 minutes [7]. Animal studies showed that the respiratory concentration of CS 25000 to 150000 mg/m 3 per minute would be lethal for 50% of healthy adults. When used outside, a CS grenade produces a cloud 6-9 meters in diameter, the highest CS concentration of 2000 to 5000 mg/m 3 is detected a...

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Is CS gas dangerous?

Cited by 24 publications

References 6 publications

Postoperative complications after CS spray exposure

Postoperative complications after CS spray exposure

Educating on CS or 'tear gas'

Effects of Tear Gases on the Pulmonary System

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