5. CHEMICAL IRRITANTS (INCLUDING TEAR GAS AND PEPPER SPRAY)24 Description: Chemical irritants are substances that produce sensory irritation and pain in the eyes and upper respiratory tract. The chemicals most commonly used are CN or CS (often called tear gas) and OC/Pepper or PAVA (often called pepper spray). Chemical irritants are delivered through handheld aerosol sprays, shoulder-worn and backpack sprayers, hand-thrown grenades, weapon-launched projectiles and grenades, as well as via water cannons. Handheld aerosol sprays range in size from 25ml to 500ml, and sometimes more, while shoulder-worn and backpack-style sprayers generally have a much larger capacity and can cover a wider area. Handthrown and weapon-launched projectiles/grenades and water cannons can be used from greater ranges and can be used to contaminate a wide area. Intended purpose: Chemical irritants are designed to deter or disable individuals by producing temporary but intense irritation of the eyes and upper respiratory tract. They are frequently used in many countries in the policing of public gatherings. Factors that determine the effects of chemical irritants include the type of chemical agent and means of delivery used, the location and environmental conditions in which they are used, and the concentration and quantity of irritant. Smaller, handheld sprays are intended to be used to temporarily deter or disorientate individuals, whereas the UN bodies have stressed that means of delivery for wider areas should 24 The 1992 Chemical Weapons Convention uses the term “riot control agents”, defined as “Any chemical not listed in a Schedule, which can produce rapidly in humans sensory irritation or disabling physical effects which disappear within a short time following termination of exposure.” Art. II(7), 1992 Chemical Weapons Convention. The use of this term is avoided in this resource because it is inaccurate and pejorative to refer to all public assemblies as riots, and the term overlooks the fact that chemical irritants are also used for purposes other than crowd control.