TEAR BOMBS AND HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

Mónica Kräuter, Professor, Department of Processes and Systems, Simón Bolívar University,
Caracas, Venezuela. April 2017.-

The tear gas bombs that the security forces have been using in Venezuela unduly and
disproportionately are:

1.- Mostly of the type CS Gas, which is not a gas but a very fine whitish powder, insoluble in water,
which is released into the atmosphere in the form of smoke or aerosol, and whose base compound
is the ortho-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (1). Although it is not lethal, if it is exposed without
any protection it can be dangerous for health and even more so if it is in an enclosed environment
and / or with little ventilation, and / or has a pre-existing physical condition (2).

2.- Many of them are defeated. It is very important to note that in the specifications printed on the
cartridges of the tear gas pumps used, a warning call can be clearly read that says its contents can
be dangerous if used after the expiration date. The literature in this regard indicates that CS gas with
time, heat and moisture hydrolyzes producing chlorobenzaldehyde and malononitrile, the latter in
turn also hydrolyzes generating cyanide that is very toxic, and above lethal tolerable concentrations.
The normal decomposition of CS produces, in addition to cyanide, hydrochloric acid, nitrous oxides,
carbon monoxide, chlorine, acetylene and phosgene, among others, all with associated toxicities
(3).

3.- They are of diverse origin but the most used are produced in Brazil (Condor brand) and in
Venezuela by CAVIM, the latter in their specifications do not report either the date of elaboration
or the expiration date.

4.- Some cartridges have no identification and any information, so it is impossible at first sight to
know the chemical composition of the gas contained in them and therefore their effects on health.

5.- Some teargas bombs were used but were left in the street irresponsibly representing a huge risk
for the civilian population that collects them and does not know how to handle this type of toxic
and dangerous material.

6.- The tear pumps of red or green color are usually also of the CS type but they could have added a
dye to intimidate and mark the protesters (4).

7.- The useful life of the CS gas used is a maximum of 5 years, and the chemicals that compose it can
be active for 5 days or more (5).

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE SECURITY FORCES ARE TRAINED TO USE THEM PROPERLY AND
KNOW VERY WELL THEIR EFFECTS ON HEALTH BECAUSE THEY ARE THE MOST EXPOSED, AS WELL AS
TO UNDERSTAND THAT TEAR GAS BOMBS ARE DESIGNED SOLELY FOR THE CONTROL OF VIOLENT
DEMONSTRATIONS, NOT TO REPRESS PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATIONS, AND SHOULD NOT BE USED IN
RESIDENTIAL AREAS AND MUCH LESS PROJECT THEM INSIDE HOMES OR IN THE VICINITY OF
SCHOOLS, MEDICAL CENTERS AND LARGE INFLUX OF PEOPLE.
If, when exposed to tear pumps, there is abundant tearing, strong irritation in the mucous
membranes (eyes, nose, mouth and throat), desire to cough and sneeze, excessive salivation,
nausea, headache or burning in the skin, its effect should pass in the short term (max 30 min).
However, if uncontrollable vomiting, gastrointestinal disorder, dyspnea, loss of consciousness,
seizures, involuntary movements or tachycardia occur, they must quickly supply them with oxygen
and BE EMERGENCY CARE by medical personnel as their effects have no longer only manifested in
the system respiratory but also in the circulatory and nervous system (6,7).

Tear bombs are chemical weapons that in principle should not be lethal, neither are the pellets but
people have died due to their improper and disproportionate use; However, there are four factors
that can make them potentially lethal (2):

1.-Pre-existing conditions of exposed persons such as: Asthmatic, allergic, hypertensive or suffering
from cardiovascular, respiratory, obstructive or ocular pulmonary diseases.

2.-Vulnerability: Babies, children, over 60 years and pregnant women are extremely vulnerable.

3.-Environmental Factors: Enclosed spaces and / or with little ventilation.

4.-Concentration: If you are exposed for a long time and / or repeatedly.

HOW TO PROTECT?

1.- The first thing is not to provoke the security forces to start the attack.

2 .- If unfortunately the attack with tear bombs begins try to observe where they come from to avoid
them because if one of them falls on the head it could hurt a lot and even kill it.

3.- Frequently identify the wind direction and try if it is possible to walk quickly in the opposite
direction to ventilate fresh air. Do not throw yourself on the floor, first because you need to have
mobility, and second because the dust will fall and then have it closer to the face.

4.- Do not run, walk faster. Keep calm and do not panic as it will be impossible for you to think and
make sound decisions, making it a threat to yourself and others. Additionally, when it is in that state
it will hyperventilate and therefore breathe more times in less time making it more vulnerable to its
effects.

5.- As it is a potentially acid dust that is not soluble in water, it will only drag it, to neutralize it
chemically and effectively, it is best to use clean cloth on the face that cover the nose and mouth or
masks of those used by doctors humidified both with a base such as sodium bicarbonate diluted in
water (3 teaspoons in a glass of drinking water), or common antacids such as Maalox or Almax. It is
also very effective to use these solutions by spraying them on the face, respiratory tract and skin
using a spray dispenser. Do not use vinegar as it is also an acid (acetic), or toothpaste or menthol
creams that trap dust near the airways making it more available for inhalation or skin burns. The
use of masks that filter solid particulate is effective, if and only if the membrane is able to trap
particles smaller than 60 microns in size.
6.- For eye irritation, let the eyes tear, avoid scratching and touching them, then wash them with
abundant water from top to bottom. If you have acute irritation use artificial tears and/or eye drops
with sodium hyaluronate or carboxymethyl cellulose.

7.- Those who wear contact lenses or suffer from ocular diseases should use protective glasses that
seal well the entrance of dust to the eye (swimming type).

8.- If you have slight skin irritation, use Caladryl or equivalent, but if your skin is very delicate, you
should wear trousers and a long-sleeved shirt to avoid having exposed skin as much as possible.

9.- Never pick up the pumps with your hands without thick gloves because while they emit the micro
particulate they are hot, reaching temperatures of over 100 degrees Celsius. Do not return them to
the person who projected them, remember that violence brings more violence, try to place them
where their radius of action affects as little as possible. You can also drown them in a container,
preferably with a lid, that contains a saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate or water. They will
still emit all their contents as long as the internal pressure is higher than the atmospheric pressure.

10.- When you get home it is very important to take a shower with plenty of water and soap to drag
what may have adhered to the body. It is also necessary to wash well the clothes, the footwear and
the exposed accessories. Remember that this dust can be active for up to 5 days or more.

11.- If you are in a closed place such as home, classroom, business or office, during the attack keep
all doors and windows closed and stay with all occupants of the place (including pets) in the
bathroom, or near it, with the shower and washbasin open allowing lukewarm water to flow
preferably so that the steam traps the dust and precipitate it, after the attack ventilate the place to
the maximum, wash your face and skin with plenty of water and soap, and clean the exposed site
very well. Ideally, the place should be vacuumed together with all the furniture, and then wet cloths
should be wiped over all surfaces and rinsed frequently. Avoid sweeping so as not to raise the dust,
and you should not eat any food that may have been exposed.

12.- If a tear gas pump enters your home, office, classroom, business or closed place, keep calm,
look for a towel, blanket or blanket, wet it and try to throw it over it, in such a way as to prevent the
dust from spreading. If possible, you could also take it with thick gloves and place it in a container,
preferably with a lid, containing water or baking soda.

13.- If you know members of the security forces, students or people who are frequently exposed to
tear gas pumps, tell them that they must wear glasses that seal their eyes well and a specific mask
for this type of microparticulate insoluble in water, send them this information and make it clear to
them that being exposed to them many times and/or for a long time can be very dangerous to their
health, with short, medium and long term effects on the respiratory, circulatory and nervous
systems irreparable.

Finally, it is necessary to emphasize that each individual can present different symptoms in front of
the tear gas bombs, if they intensify and/or persist you should consult a doctor quickly.
Bibliography:

1.- Niroshan, Sivathasan; “Educating on CS or tear gas”; Emergency Medical Journal, Vol 27, No 11,
pg 881-882, November 2010.

2.- Carron, Pierre-Nicolas and Yersin, Bertrand; “Management of the effects of exposure to tear
gas”; British Medical Journal: Clinical Review, Vol 338, pg 1554-1558. June 2009.

3.- Heinrich, Uwe; “Possible lethal effects of CS tear gas on Branch Davidians during the FBI raid on
the Mount Carmel compound near Waco, Texas, April 1993”; Hannover, Germany, September 2000.

4.- Blake, Dennis; “Tear gas – Decontamination Procedures”, pg 1-17, 1988.

5.- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; “Occupational Safety and Health Guideline for
o-Chlorobenzylidene Malononitrile”, pg 1-7, 1995.

6.- Báez, Luis; “Gases lacrimógenos y toxicidad”; Boletín de la Sociedad Venezolana de Cirugía, Año
11, Nro. 49, Febrero 2009.

7.- Karamaga, Y.,Newton, J. and Newbegin, C.; “Short-term and log-term physical effects of
exposure to CS”; Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, Vol 96, pg 172-174, April 2003.