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Reports from around the country suggest that hundreds, if not thousands of people have been exposed to tear gas during the most recent protests. Although it is typically a non-lethal use of force, it can have serious effects on your health.
Tear gas is one of the most common weapons used in riot control. It contains chemical compounds. Those chemicals cause irritation to the eyes, mouth, throat, lungs, and skin. This can cause people to be unable to function normally for a short period of time.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) actually recommends that you place any clothing exposed to tear gas in a sealed plastic bag – then bag it again and call your local health department to dispose of your clothing. This would suggest that tear gas is highly toxic.
If you are exposed to tear gas you are likely to experience a number of symptoms. Your eyes may become red and burn. They can also tear excessively and the gas can cause blurred vision.
You could also experience burning and swelling of your nose, along with a runny nose. Your mouth could also burn and become irritated causing difficulty swallowing and drooling. Tear gas also causes respiratory issues including tightness of the check, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and experiencing a choking sensation.
Other health issues that can be caused by exposure to tear gas include skin rashes and burns, as well as, nausea and vomiting. While most of these symptoms are only temporary, more serious complications resulting from tear gas exposure can happen.
Especially in closed environments, tear gas can cause glaucoma, blindness, respiratory failure, and even immediate death from chemical burns to the throat and lungs.
If you are exposed to tear gas you need to take some precautions to minimize long-lasting effects. According to the CDC, you should remove your clothing as quickly as possible. Any clothing that needs to be pulled over your head should be cut off for removal.
You should also wash your body as quickly as possible. Washing with soap and water will help remove any tear gas residue from your skin. Rinse your eyes with water. Once you have washed, wear plastic gloves, or use tongs to place all of your clothing, including contacts you may have been wearing into a plastic bag that can be sealed.
Place the sealed bag into another plastic bag. For proper disposal, you should drop off the bag at your nearest health department or call them to remove the item. Proper disposal will protect you, and others from coming into contact with the chemicals. Simply washing your clothes will not rid the clothing of chemicals; therefore, it should be disposed of immediately, and safely.
