Cs gas

CS gas (chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile) is a tear gas used as a riot control agent.

Properties

It is stronger than CN gas but wears off faster.

How is it deployed?

• It can be deployed by grenades or cluster bombs
• CS is also used in military settings to test the speed and ability of military personnel to use their gas masks.

Effects on the body

It can cause skin burns and fatal pulmonary edema Other effects may include:

• Eyes: excessive tearing, burning, blurred vision, redness
• Nose: runny nose, burning, swelling
• Mouth: burning, irritation, difficulty swallowing, drooling
• Lungs: chest tightness, coughing, choking sensation, noisy breathing (wheezing), shortness of breath
• Skin: burns, rash
• Other: nausea and vomiting

What riot control agents are

Riot control agents (sometimes referred to as “tear gas”) are chemical compounds that temporarily make people unable to function by causing irritation to the eyes, mouth, throat, lungs, and skin.

What are examples?

The most common riot control agents: chloroacetophenone (CN) and chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile (CS). Other examples include chloropicrin (PS), which is also used as a fumigant (that is, a substance that uses fumes to disinfect an area); bromobenzylcyanide (CA); dibenzoxazepine (CR); and combinations of various agents.

How are they used?

Riot control agents are used by law enforcement officials for crowd control and by individuals and the general public for personal protection (for example, pepper spray).

What are some long term exposure risks?

Long-lasting exposure or exposure to a large dose of riot control agent, especially in a closed setting, may cause severe effects such as the following:

• Blindness
• Glaucoma (a serious eye condition that can lead to blindness)
• Immediate death due to severe chemical burns to the throat and lungs
• Respiratory failure possibly resulting in death
• Showing these signs and symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has been exposed to riot control agents.

Treatment

• Treatment consists of helping the affected person get more oxygen in his or her blood and of stopping agent-caused chemical burns from getting worse.
• Medications that are used to treat asthma (such as bronchodilators and steroids) may also be used to help the person breathe.
• Eye exposures are treated by rinsing the eyes with water until there is no evidence of riot control agents in the eyes.
• No antidote exists for poisoning from riot control agents.
• Burn injuries to the skin are treated with standard burn management techniques, including use of medicated bandages.

More information

For more information in the United States, contact:

• Regional poison control center: 1-800-222-1222
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Public Response Hotline (CDC)
• 800-CDC-INFO
• 888-232-6348 (TTY)

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