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Lethal In Disguise: The Health Hazards Of Pepper Spray

The indiscriminate use of pepper spray and other hazardous crowd control techniques by increasingly militaristic law enforcement is out of hand. Loosely defined “interfering with police” or leaving a designated media zone should not be grounds for a chemical weapons attack. It’s time the police took responsibility for showing restraint, respect for the protections of free speech and assembly, and did due diligence both with training officers and especially in providing care for those injured.

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 Pepper Spray: 10 Reasons NOT to Use It

Pepper spray is frequently recommended as a primary or secondary defensive tool. It’s easy to see why some people suggest it, considering pepper spray’s history and accessibility, especially for those not yet old enough to legally carry a firearm. However, if you’re thinking about adding pepper spray or a similar defensive spray to your self-defense toolbox, there are a multitude of reasons not to do so.

Articles of Interest

ER or Not: Got Sprayed With Pepper Spray

Somehow, you got sprayed with pepper spray. It’s in your eye, it stings, and you’re probably feeling really uncomfortable. But is getting pepper strayed a reason to go to the ER?

Health Impacts of Crowd-Control Weapons: Chemical Irritants (Tear Gas and Pepper Spray)

Chemical irritants (CIs), commonly known as tear gas and pepper spray, are used for crowd-control purposes by law enforcement worldwide. While the public perception may be that CIs cause minimal, transient harm, the findings of a systematic review of medical literature carried out by Physicians for Human Rights identify troubling levels of morbidity and even instances of death caused by these weapons.

A Toxicological Aspect on Pepper Spray: Mini Review

For centuries, people have used pepper extracts and powdered fruits for various purposes including spice, weight loss, local anesthesia, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agent, primitive weaponry and recently production of self-defense and less than- lethal weaponry.

How dangerous is pepper spray?

The term "pepper spray" is grossly misleading. It conjures up images of chopping onions, or going to the bathroom after handling chillies without properly washing your hands first.

How tear gas and pepper spray affect the body, and what to do if you've been hit

Pepper spray, or mace, is slightly different from tear gas. It employs the exact same active chemical as what's found in cayenne peppers, and since it is an oil, "even small concentrations of it can penetrate the skin and enter mucous membranes, causing severe and prolonged discomfort," according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

Molecules to Medicine: Should pepper spray be put on (clinical) trial?

Pepper spray causes inflammation and swelling—particularly a danger for those with underlying asthma or emphysema. The study of restrained healthy volunteers exposed to small amounts of capsaicin is simply not applicable to the general population.

Pepper Spray and Chili Peppers

Pepper spray is used in bear and dog repellents, personal defense sprays and in crowd control sprays (by law enforcement). Contains the oily resin from chili peppers (oleoresin capsicum) and a carrier solvent such as rubbing alcohol or a hydrocarbon.

Pepper Spray Effects

Unlike tear gas, a nerve agent that directly impacts sensory receptors around the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes, pepper spray is a chemical irritant. This means it causes a physical reaction in the form of inflammation within exposed tissue. Because of this difference, pepper spray tends to work much more quickly than tear gas, and repeated exposure generally does not dilute the severity of its effects.

Pepper Spray: A Tiny, Must-Have Tool for Self-Defense

One of the superlative means to protect yourself is carrying a pepper spray. Pepper spray might seem terrifying to some; however, it's worthy to have in case of any dangerous incident.

Pepper spray: Why it is so dangerous

Historically, chilli extract has been used for centuries. Japanese samurais used to throw rice-paper bags filled with pepper extracts at their enemies to cause temporary blindness. Chinese soldiers would heat up red peppers in oil, producing a smoke that was blown towards the enemy. In America, it was initially used by the FBI and US postal workers to temporarily incapacitate humans and animals.

Tear Gas and Pepper Spray Can Be Deadly, But the U.S. Won’t Regulate Police Use

Despite widespread use, chemical agents sold for police purposes aren’t monitored by any federal agency.

The Health Effects of Pepper Spray

Getting pepper spray in the kisser doesn't look like much fun. But does it have health hazards?

The Medical Considerations of OC Spray

Modern pepper spray, known as oleoresin capsicum (or OC spray), is a natural product made from the oil of ground chili peppers. Although officially endorsed by the FBI in 1987, this basic tool has been available for centuries.

What to do if you’re pepper-sprayed

While pepper spray is physically painful, it can also make you feel helpless. Having a game plan ahead of time can help alleviate this feeling. It may also help to know that most symptoms will subside within 2 hours.

What to Do Immediately if You're Pepper Sprayed

While pepper spray contains the same ingredient used to soothe sore muscles, the concentration used in crowd control or personal safety situations is many, many times higher and will feel painful and not at all soothing to your body.

Resources

Poison.org

Lacrimators are chemicals that cause tear production and are typically used for personal protection and crowd control. These chemicals cause intense irritation to the eyes, skin, and lungs and can temporarily incapacitate an individual. The most common lacrimator is pepper spray. Its effects are generally mild and resolve fairly quickly.