Tear gas is one of the chemicals commonly used by security forces to control riots and disperse crowds. However, as reported by Healthline, tear gas is not a gas, but a pressurized powder capable of creating mist when fired.
Quoted from the official CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) website, there are several chemicals commonly used in tear gas, namely chloroacetophenone (CN), chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS), chloropicrin (PS), bromobenzyl cyanide (CA), and dibenzoxazepine (Centers for Disease Control). CR).
In the short term, exposure to tear gas that hits humans can cause sore eyes, runny nose, skin irritation, coughing, suffocation in the throat, and shortness of breath.
When exposed to people who have a history of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tear gas can cause death from respiratory failure. This can also happen if tear gas is fired at high doses or in an enclosed space.
If you are exposed, you should immediately leave the source of the tear gas fired and get fresh air. After that, immediately remove the clothes, wash the face and whole body with clean water, and seek medical attention as soon as possible.