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The solution is the problem
Published in J. Michael Ryan, COVID-19, 2020
The murder of George Floyd, along with the many other African American lives lost before his, unleashed a groundswell of antiracism solidarity protests in over 350 US cities (Michaels 2020; Mohammad Haddad 2020; Rahim and Picheta 2020). Focused on police brutality, antiracism, and anticolonialism and emerging across the world, from China to Syria, thousands of protesters from various social backgrounds joined together – some after months of pandemic-related self-isolation (Rodriguez-Presa 2020). Often violating state directives meant to contain the virus, many people joined together to protest, including yelling and shouting, which potentially aerosolized and further spread the virus. Mass arrests forced people into close quarters, and officers’ use of O.C. spray and tear gas to control protesters forced citizens to remove their masks, cough, and rub their eyes – actions that all help spread the virus. As of mid-June 2020, tear gas has been used in over 100 major US cities and in some places abroad, against its people (APM Research Lab 2020b; Lai, Marsh, and Singhvi 2020). Thus, a militarized criminal justice response to a social crisis intensified a major health problem.
Police custodial healthcare
Published in Jason Payne-James, Richard Jones, Simpson's Forensic Medicine, 2019
Jason Payne-James, Richard Jones
Because those exposed to restraint techniques – but not arrested – may be reluctant to identify themselves, it is possible that exposure to these and others forms of control and restraint cause more harm than is documented. The use of assorted tear gas bombs and other compounds, and water-cannon in crowd control, also needs prospective research to identify risk for medical complications. Often more information is available in the media than in peer-reviewed medical literature.
Brief History and Use of Chemical Warfare Agents in Warfare and Terrorism
Published in Brian J. Lukey, James A. Romano, Salem Harry, Chemical Warfare Agents, 2019
Harry Salem, Andrew L. Ternay Jr., Jeffery K. Smart
Germany’s use of chemical weapons on the battlefield began on October 27, 1914, when Germans fired shells loaded with dianisidine chlorosulfonate, a tear gas, at the British near Neuve Chapelle. This tear gas normally produced violent sneezing. In this case, however, the chemical dispersed so rapidly in the air that the British never knew they had been attacked with gas (Charles, 2005). Following this experiment, the Germans continued to test other potential chemical weapons. In mid-December 1914, Haber’s assistant was killed while working on an arsenic-containing weapon (cacodyl: (CH3)2As–As(CH3)2). In January 1915, the Germans used xylyl bromide (T-Stoff) against the Allies, but it was so cold that the gas froze and settled in the snow.
Innate inflammatory response to acute inhalation exposure of riot control agent oleoresin capsicum in female rats: An interplay between neutrophil mobilization and inflammatory markers
Published in Experimental Lung Research, 2020
Pompy Patowary, Manash Pratim Pathak, Kamaruz Zaman, Sanjai Kumar Dwivedi, Pronobesh Chattopadhyay
In a study conducted on 22 chili workers exposed to capsaicinoids, 13 of them complained of rhinorrhea and cough, even at very minimal (˂1mg/m3) concentrations.8 In addition to precipitating broncho-constriction, which could be marked as acute asthma, OC spray exposure also increases the possibility of laryngospasm and respiratory arrest.9 A recent medical report published by the Turkish Medical Association reported pulmonary edema following exposure to a great quantity of tear gas.10 It is noteworthy to mention that, respiratory system related deaths occurred even after acute exposure to OC.11 Another study reported that repeated spraying of OC caused respiratory arrest in a person with respiratory infection.12 Some earlier studies also revealed that laryngeal and pulmonary edema, chemical pneumonitis, laryngospasm, and respiratory arrest occurred after accidental and intentional OC spray inhalation in children.7,13 Studies have confirmed that OC exposure leads to neurogenic inflammation in the airway blood vessels, glands, smooth muscles, and epithelium, causing increased vascular permeability, neutrophil chemotaxis, bronchoconstriction, and excessive mucus secretion.14,15 However, the pulmonary toxicity of OC at higher concentrations viz. 1% (for civilian purpose) and 5–10% (for primarily police models)16 has not been reported yet. These plethoras of evidence suggest that there is an ongoing need for an investigation into the full toxicological potential of OC and whether their use can be condoned under any situation.
Comparative safety evaluation of riot control agents of synthetic and natural origin
Published in Inhalation Toxicology, 2018
Ravindra M. Satpute, Pramod K. Kushwaha, D. P. Nagar, P. V. L. Rao
Oleoresin capsicum (OC) is an oily resin derivative from the ripe fruit (chili) of genus Capsicum frutescence and composed of several related compounds. The main active ingredient of the OC is capsaicinoids which are the products of endocrine glands found in the plant placenta and are a mixture of two unsaturated and three saturated homologs. It is the presence and percentage of these capsaicinoids which determines the pungency of chilies which further determines their suitability for oleoresin extraction. Capsaicinoids are isolated through a volatile solvent extraction of the dried, ripened fruit of chili peppers. The capsaicinoids are distilled, dried, and compounded together. The final oleoresin contains several branched-chain alkyl vanillylamides, in addition to capsaicin, the major component in OC. The predominant capsaicinoid components of OC are capsaicin (70%), dihydrocapsaicin (20%), norhydrocapsaicin (7%), homocapsaicin (1%), and homodihydrocapsaicin (1%) (Salem et al., 2006). Capsaicinoids cause dermatitis as well as nasal, ocular, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal effects in humans. OC gained popularity in the 1990s as a defensive weapon for civilians (particularly women as pepper spray) and law enforcement agencies because they produce an immediate, temporary immobilization, and incapacitation when sprayed directly into the face or eyes. It is important to note that hand-held pepper spray formulations can contain OC by themselves or a mixture of OC and CS. In addition to OC, Pelargonic acid vanillylamide (PAVA or nonivamide), is a synthetic form of capsaicin. Nonivamide (first synthesized by Nelson in 1919) was originally found to be a minor component in Capsicum annum peppers (Constant & Cordell, 1996); however, the majority of PAVA is derived from synthesis rather than extraction from natural plant sources. As a result, the composition and concentration of PAVA can remain consistent (Haber et al., 2007). Nonivamide has been used both as a food flavor (at up to 10 ppm in the diet) and in human medicine (topical application as a rubifaciant). In USA, it has been given GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) status by the Food and Drug Administration as a food flavor. Though it is a potent sensory stimulant, but in order for PAVA to work, it must be directed at the subject’s eyes. It was found to be ineffective against those under the influence of alcohol (ACPO, 2006). The pain to the eyes is reported to be higher than that caused by CS tear gas (ACPO, 2006; Smith et al., 2004).