Visual guide to law enforcement and security equipment 05 CHEMICAL IRRITANTS Chemical irritants for crowd control 103 are a group of chemicals designed to temporarily deter or disable an individual by producing sensory irritation and pain in the eyes, upper respiratory tract and skin. The term ‘chemical irritants’ refers to tear gas (CS, CN, and CR) and pepper spray (OC or PAVA), and Omega also includes foul-smelling malodorants in this definition. Chemical irritants can be dispersed in a number of different ways, including as a fine powder or smoke through weapon-launched or hand-thrown projectiles and grenades, via hand-held, shoulderworn, and backpack sprayers, and by water cannon, where the powder is suspended in solvent and dispersed as a fine spray. Use Chemical irritants can be targeted at a person, a group, or into a room. They are sometimes sprayed directly into the eyes or faces of individuals, which is inappropriate use. In many countries, chemical irritants are increasingly used in large volumes to disperse public assemblies, and this kind of indiscriminate use raises many concerns. Additionally, any use on an individual who is already restrained or otherwise under control may amount to torture or other ill-treatment. Chemical irritants may have a legitimate law enforcement role, when used in strict accordance with international human rights standards. Nonetheless, they are frequently misused, and some delivery mechanisms, such as large munitions, should never be used. Potential injuries Injuries from exposure to chemical irritants, which in some cases can be life threatening, can include: • • • • • watering eyes breathing difficulties, coughing, choking, and suffocation vomiting irritation, burning, and blistering of the skin severe allergic reactions. Injuries from launched grenades or projectiles can include: • • • • • bruises internal bleeding and damage to organs broken bones temporary or permanent damage to eyesight concussion and other head injuries. 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). This term is not used in this resource because it is inaccurate and pejorative to refer to all public assemblies as riots. In addition, chemical irritants are also used for purposes other than crowd control. 103 86