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Toxicity and Health Effects of Ortho-Chloro-Benzylidene-Malononitrile (Cs Gas)
Toxicity and Health Effects of Ortho-Chloro-Benzylidene-Malononitrile (Cs Gas)
Toxicity and Health Effects of Ortho-Chloro-Benzylidene-Malononitrile (Cs Gas)
Dipartimento di Energia, Politecnico di Torino Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
mechanism of CS is not based on the interaction of respondents and their children, which persisted for
the compound with DNA, but directly on the weeks after the exposure. The medical doctors
apparatus of mitotic cells, causing chromosomal noted that patients with asthma and chronic
aberrations. obstructive pulmonary disease who were exposed to
tear gas seldom showed deterioration of lung
function, some in a serious degree that required
MATERIALS AND METHODS medical treatment and hospitalization. We were
particularly impressed by the lack of information
The effectiveness of CS in crowd control available to the local community on the effects of
comes from its property as a skin and mucous tear gas.
membrane irritant and extremely serious tear
maker, even at low doses. Conjunctivitis and
concomitant blepharospasm, burning and pain are TOXICOLOGY OF CS
typical. These symptoms are exacerbated in hot or
humid environment. CS is commonly micronized As reported above, many studies between
and mixed with an antiagglomerant or treated with volunteers have noted that, in most cases, the
a water repellent silicone (known formulations as removal from exposure to the CS determines fairly
CS1 and CS2, respectively): in those cases, it can rapid recovery with cessation of all symptoms
remain active for days or weeks when dusted on the within a short time.
ground. Toxicology studies by inhalation [5, 6] at high
The use of tear gas in recent situations of civil levels of exposure CS, however, have demonstrated
unrest shows that exposure to the weapon is its ability to cause fatal chemical pneumonitis and
difficult to control and this weapon is seldom pulmonary edema. In situations where high levels
incorrectly used. Severe traumatic injuries from of exposure have occurred, those effects, as well as
exploding tear gas grenades and toxic damage were heart failure, hepatocellular damage and death, have
documented. In addition, the available toxicological been reported in adults. [5-8]. A child exposed to
data are still uncertain regarding this agent’s CS in a house where police fired CS containers to
possibility to cause long-term pulmonary, subdue a mentally disturbed adult developed severe
carcinogenic and reproductive effects. However, pneumonia requiring steroid therapy, oxygen,
published in vitro tests showed o- antibiotics, and 29 days of hospitalization [9].
chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile to be both The concentration of the respiratory tract of
mutagenic and clastogenic. CS that would be lethal to 50% of healthy adults
The widespread use of tear gas agents was estimated to be of 25000-150000 mg/m3 per
naturally raises the question of their safety. minute, based on animal studies [10]. When
Unfortunately, the nature of its application makes detonated outdoors, a CS grenade generates a cloud
analytical epidemiological investigation of exposed of 6 to 9 m in diameter, in the center of which a
persons difficult. In general, the authors of early concentration of 2000-5000 mg / m3 can be
(70’s and 80’s) review articles have found out that, produced, with concentrations quickly decreasing
if used properly, the harmful effects are transient with distance [11]
and of no consequence in the long run [1-3]. If detonated in an enclosed space or in groups,
The question arises on the effects of tear gas however, you could expect much higher levels of
when improperly used. In our community survey, exposure. In addition, chemical weapons are
performed in the recent years (2011-2015) in generally been noted to be notoriously uneven in
Valsusa (Italy) [4], we had repeated accounts of their dispersion [12].
police forces firing tear gas directly into crowd Oral toxicology studies [13-14] have noted the
gatherings and enclosed spaces such as rooms and ability of CS to cause severe gastroenteritis with
shops. perforation. Metabolic studies indicate that CS
People who find themselves close to absorbed is metabolized to cyanide in peripheral
exploding tear gas grenades, may not unfrequently tissues. However, the actual possibility of exposure
sustain penetrating trauma from plastic fragments, to CS levels causing significant generation of
which is exacerbated by the presence of chemical cyanide at the tissue level is controversial: to
tear gas. Many individuals sustain blistering skin breathe the massive quantities, necessary to
burns from direct contact with the tear gas powder. generate cyanide, serious lung injury may prevent
There have been several stories of people that this occurrence. However, this argument ignores the
experienced more severe toxic injuries requiring ingestion of chemical tear gas that can occur with
medical care and, in some cases, hospitalization. pharyngeal deposition of compounds CS, not
Our survey on the Val Susa community completely dispersed and swallowing of respiratory
discovered some common symptoms, including secretions.
coughing and shortness of breath, among
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Burns due to contact and the development of as its toxicology, arise the question whether its
skin sensitization with allergic contact dermatitis further use may be tolerated under any conditions.
have been described in a series of experimental and We recognize that it is not enough for health
observational studies on animals and humans [15- professionals to study and simply refuse as
19]. This is in line with many skin burns "clinically unacceptable" any mode of riot control.
encountered during our investigation in Val Susa. As with many dangers, for example, asbestos, toxic
Symptoms of prolonged cough and shortness industrial emissions, radiation, there is an important
of breath that were reported in our survey of the Val role for scientists: study, document, analyze and
Susa community: they suggest that this effect may report on these risks and to advise the government
have occurred because of exposure to CS. on what is acceptable and what does not lead to an
The potential damage to internal organs, as acceptable risk.
well as gastrointestinal symptoms, was evidenced At a time when the world has recently seen
by an accidental exposure reported in [20]. The the recurrence of the use of CS, this time in the
laryngeal and bronchial obstruction is demonstrated Middle East, it is also noteworthy that, in 1969, on
for example in [21]. Some studies have associated the occasion of the General Assembly of the United
exposure to the CS with miscarriages, see for Nations, 80 countries voted for prohibit the use of
instance [22]. any chemical warfare, including tear gas, by
applying the Protocol of Geneva.
The technical paper presented at the Public
POTENTIAL GENOTOXICITY Prosecutor's Office Court of Genoa , as informative
part and attached to the file - complaint "Syndrome
In the study [23], it was established that the Genoa " June 15, 2002 , titled "Malononitrile - CS :
CS chemical agent had no carcinogenic effects mutagenicity data" , signed by Prof. Nicola Lopresti
mediated by DNA damage. However, the study in (University of Pisa) and other researches, shows, on
[24] affirms that the carcinogenic mechanism of CS a scientific basis and based on experimental data,
is not based on the interaction of the compound that a substance like CS could be classified by the
with DNA, but directly on the apparatus of mitotic European Commission (Dangerous Substances
cells, causing chromosomal aberrations. The agent Directive 675/148/CEE) in Class 3, namely:
CS can alkylate sulfhydryl groups and, possibly, "substances presenting positive results in the most
DNA [25-26]. As such, it is potentially genotoxic. revealing mutagenicity assays , for which no
Some researchers have shown CS to be mutagenic relevant in vivo data are available”. Substances of
on salmonella cells [26] and mice [27]. The CS this type represent a danger to humans because of
agent has been found to suppress the non-specific their possible mutagenic effects.
esterase activity in mouse skin sebaceous glands Exposure to Genoa in 2001 was massive but
[28-29]: this property was suggested to be used as a single. Instead, two exposure situations are
screening test for the carcinogenic potential of particularly dangerous as regards Valsusa:
chemicals [29]. A study [30] showed the - For operators of the police forces, CS gas
carcinogenicity of CS in mice. is a working tool and the contact could have
continued, long-term effects unknown today,
especially in those backside officials and agents not
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION wearing masks.
- For the protesters of the Susa Valley, there
is the same scenario of repeated exposure.
From the toxicological point of view, there is
Exposures in the 2011-2016 five-year period have
a great need for more epidemiological and
been some tens.
laboratory research that illuminate the health
Prolonged exposure could transform both the
consequences of exposure to full tear gas
compounds such as CS. The possibility of health police agents and the protesters in a group of
consequences in the long term, such as the highly-exposed subjects to CS gas, potentially
causing unexpected effects due to repeated
formation of cancer, reproductive effects, and lung
exposure.
disease is particularly worrying in view of the
multiple exposures suffered by demonstrators and
non-demonstrators too in some areas of civil unrest.
The development of tolerance of CS, a CONCLUSIONS
phenomenon that has been confirmed in studies on
human volunteers [31] has probably increased the Concerning legal aspects, the Italian Law is
length and intensity of the exposure held by some actually not clearly treating this case. Under the bill
individuals. April 18, 1975, # 110 (Supplementary to the current
We also believe, however, that the evidence regulations for the control of small arms,
already assembled on the misuse of tear gas, as well ammunition and explosives), Article 1 states that
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"For the purposes of criminal laws, the public by Health Professionals. Somerville, Mass
security and other laws or regulations on weapons (USA).
are weapons of war of every kind that , by their [8] Park, S., Giammona, ST. (1972) Toxic effects
strong potential for offense, are or may be intended of tear gas on an infant following prolonged
for the modern armament of the troops at home or exposure, American Journ. D.C., 123, 245-246.
abroad for the use of war and the bombs of any type [9] Sanford, JR (1976) Medical aspects of riot
or parts of them , aggressive chemicals, deadly control (harassing) agents, Annu Rev Med., 27,
contraptions of war of any kind , bottles or 412-429.
wrappers explosive or incendiary". This ranks the [10] Wiegand, DA (1969) Cutaneous reactions to
CS gas as weapons of war in the third category, i.e. the riot control agent CS, Milit. Med., 134,
"chemical weapons". 437-440.
As for its use in war, the "Convention on the [11] Sidel, VW, Goldwya, RM (1966) Chemical
Prohibition of the Development, Production, and biologic weapons: a primer, N. Engl.
Storage and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Journ. Med., 274, 21-27.
Destruction" signed at European Union level, in [12] Ballantyne, B., Swanston, DW (1978) The
Paris January 13th , 1993, and adopted in Italy in comparative acute mammalian toxicity of 1-
1995 and entered into force on April 29th 1997, chloroacetophenone (CN) and 2-
prohibits the use of CS gas in any war scenario. chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS), Arch
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[16] Holland, P., White, RG. (1972) The cutaneous
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