Tear gas

Tear gas is a spray.

It makes your eyes cry. It can make you cough. It can also hurt your skin.

Police often use it to control crowds. It can be very painful. Some people may get hurt by the metal cans.

People try to stay safe. They use masks to breathe. Some use goggles to protect their eyes.

If it gets on you, wash with water. You can also use soap. This helps clean your skin.

It is important to stay calm and get help.

Tear gas is a chemical used to control crowds. It is not a real gas. It is actually tiny bits of solid or liquid. These bits irritate your eyes, nose, and mouth. This makes you cry, cough, and feel pain. It can also make it hard to breathe.

Many types exist, like CS gas or pepper spray.

Some people use tear gas in wars. However, many global treaties now ban its use in war.

Using it can be very dangerous. People can get hurt by the metal canisters. These hits can cause bad bruises or even death. It can also cause permanent eye damage.

People find ways to stay safe. They might wear gas masks or goggles. Some people use umbrellas for cover.

In some places, people use water to put out the canisters. To clean your skin, wash with plenty of soap and water. If it gets in your eyes, rinse them with water or saline. Do not rub your eyes.

Tear gas is a substance used to control large crowds. It is also called a lachrymatory agent. This name comes from the word for tears. Even though people call it a gas, it is actually tiny bits of solid or liquid. These particles float in the air like a mist. When people breathe them in, the particles touch sensitive parts of the body. This includes the eyes, nose, mouth, and lungs.

The way it works is by irritating the body's mucous membranes. This irritation causes immediate physical reactions. Most people will start crying and coughing very quickly. It can cause intense pain in the eyes and make breathing difficult. For example, symptoms from CS gas usually appear in 20 to 60 seconds. These feelings often go away within 30 minutes of leaving the area. However, the effects can be much more serious for some people.

History shows that tear gas has been used in many different ways. During World War I, it was the most common type of chemical weapon. The French used a chemical called ethyl bromoacetate in August 1914. Later, Germans used a lung irritant against British and Indian troops. Because of these dangers, the Geneva Protocol of 1925 was created. This international treaty prohibits using such gases in warfare. Today, most countries follow this rule, but police still use it for riot control.

Using tear gas carries many serious risks for people. If a metal canister hits someone directly, it can cause skull fractures or death.

In Chile, people lost their vision due to canister impacts. In 2020, most protesters in Portland, Oregon, reported health issues after exposure. Some people also face long-term problems like respiratory illnesses or eye diseases. In Venezuela, chemist Mónica Kräuter found that 72% of the tear gas used was expired. She noted that expired gas can break down into very dangerous substances.

People have found many ways to protect themselves from these effects. Some use gas masks, goggles, or even swimming goggles.

In Hong Kong, protesters used traffic cones to put out canisters.

Others use water or saline to rinse their eyes. It is very important not to rub the eyes after exposure. If the chemicals get on the skin, washing with plenty of soap and water helps. This is because the tiny particles can stick to the body for a long time.

Tear gas is a chemical substance used to control large crowds. It is formally known as a lachrymatory agent or a lachrymator. This name comes from the word for tears. While many people call it a gas, it is actually made of aerosolized solid or liquid compounds. These tiny particles float in the air like a mist.

This substance is used by military forces and law enforcement. It is designed to cause immediate physical discomfort to force compliance. However, its use is strictly regulated by international law when used in war.

The mechanism of tear gas involves the irritation of mucous membranes. These are the moist linings in the eyes, nose, mouth, and lungs. When these particles touch the body, they stimulate specific nerve endings. Specifically, they act on TRPA1 ion channels found on nociceptors. These are sensory receptors that signal pain to the brain.

The result is intense eye pain, heavy tearing, coughing, and difficulty breathing. In some cases, it can even cause temporary blindness. For CS gas, these symptoms usually appear within 20 to 60 seconds. Most people feel better within 30 minutes of leaving the area.

There are several different types of lachrymatory agents. One common type is CS gas, which is the most widely used today. Another type is CN gas, also known as phenacyl chloride, which has the most recorded toxicity. Other agents include pepper spray, known as OC gas, and PAVA spray, or nonivamide. Older agents include bromoacetone and xylyl bromide. Some people also use the term "mace" to describe these substances. This name comes from an early brand of commercial self-defense spray.

The history of tear gas is closely tied to modern warfare. During World War I, it was the most common type of chemical weapon. In August 1914, the French used ethyl bromoacetate in combat. Later that year, Germans used a lung irritant called Nerst Ni-Shrapnel against British and Indian troops. In January 1915, xylyl bromide was used against Russian forces. Because of these dangers, the Geneva Protocol of 1925 was created. This treaty prohibits the use of asphyxiating gases or similar substances in warfare.

While many states signed it, the United States did not ratify the protocol until 1975.

Using tear gas carries significant risks of injury or death. A direct hit from a heavy metal canister can cause skull fractures or even death.

In the 2019–20 Chilean protests, some people suffered permanent loss of vision from canister impacts.

In Portland, Oregon, during 2020, 93.8% of protesters reported physical or psychological health issues after exposure. Furthermore, Venezuelan chemist Mónica Kräuter found that 72% of the tear gas used in Venezuela was expired. She noted that expired gas can break down into dangerous substances like cyanide oxide and phosgenes.

Long-term health effects are also a serious concern. Exposure can lead to respiratory illnesses or permanent eye diseases. These include glaucoma, cataracts, and traumatic optic neuropathy. Skin exposure can cause chemical burns or allergic contact dermatitis. People with asthma are at a much higher risk of needing hospitalization.

Because the particles can stick to surfaces, clothes and shoes must be washed well. If not treated, these particles can remain active for up to a week.

People have developed many ways to defend against these agents. Some use gas masks, respirators, or even swimming goggles.

In Hong Kong, protesters used traffic cones to extinguish canisters.

Others use water or saline to rinse their eyes. Some activists have even used diluted antacids like Maalox to help with skin pain.

These methods show how people adapt to the presence of chemical irritants in public spaces.