Disclaimer: This guide is a public health resource designed for education and community
preparedness. It does not constitute legal or medical advice. The information synthesized here draws from public
health data and technical manuals, but in the event of severe injury or persistent symptoms, we always recommend
seeking professional medical evaluation. It should also be noted that this in line with previously published materials from FEMA, the Centers for Disease Control and other sources, and is within the bounds of First Amendment Rights.

Community Protection Guide: Chemical Agents & Public Health

In times of civil engagement, community safety relies on shared knowledge. When chemical agents are deployed in
public spaces, confusion often compounds the harm. Understanding these weapons and how to mitigate their effects is a fundamental component of community resilience and mutual aid.

This guide is designed to bridge the gap between technical toxicology and practical on-the-ground safety. By
demystifying the history and physiology of riot control agents, we hope to empower our community to look
out for one another with confidence and clarity.

1. The Context: From Battlefields to Our Streets

To truly understand the modern deployment of chemical agents, we must look briefly at their origins. The concept
of “tear gas” was pioneered by the Paris Police in 1912 to apprehend the “Bonnot Gang.” However, following the widespread and horrific use of chemical weapons in World War I, the technology accelerated.

In the 1920s, the US Chemical Warfare Service sought a peacetime application for its research, marketing tear gas
to police departments as a “humane” alternative to kinetic force. This transition created a legal paradox that
persists to this day:

The Legal Paradox
Under international agreements like the Geneva Protocol of 1925 and the Chemical Weapons Convention of 1997, using riot control agents is strictly banned in
warfare between nations. Yet, most nations (including the United States) retain the legal
authority to use these same agents on their own communities for domestic law enforcement.

Navigating this reality is complicated by a regulatory gap. Currently, no single US federal agency (such as the
EPA or OSHA) maintains direct, primary oversight regarding the manufacturing safety standards or deployment
protocols of these chemicals when used in domestic policing, and when pressured have had a history of passing the buck across to another agency who does the same.

2. De-mystifying the Chemistry of Tear Gas and Other Chemical Agents

The term “tear gas” is an umbrella term that obscures specific chemical realities. These are not gases in the
scientific sense, but solid chemical compounds tailored to temporarily disable the human body.

They function by hijacking the body’s pain receptors, specifically the TRPA1 and
TRPV1 ion channels, essentially tricking your nervous system into interpreting the
chemical as extreme heat or burning, triggering involuntary protective reflexes like coughing and eye closure.

The “Big Four” Agents

• CS (Tear Gas): The most common agent. It is a crystalline solid, technically named
  2-Chlorobenzylidene malononitrile, which is typically burned to create a dense white smoke cloud.
  It relies on thermal dispersal.
• OC (Pepper Spray): Formally Oleoresin Capsicum, this is an oil derived from
  peppers. Unlike CS, it is usually deployed as a liquid stream, foam, or fog. It causes immediate inflammation.
• CN (Mace): An older, more toxic lacrimator (tear-producer) that produces a distinctive blue-white
  cloud. It has largely fallen out of favor due to its higher toxicity.
• HC Smoke: A Critical Warning. Often mistaken for harmless “obscurant”
  smoke, Hexachloroethane (HC) involves a highly toxic, carcinogenic chemical reaction. It burns extremely hot and poses significant risks of long-term liver damage
  (hepatotoxicity) and an increased cancer risk that standard irritants do not (or in the case of cancer, have a lesser risk).

3. Field Identification & Response

In a chaotic environment, identification is the first step in care. Distinguishing between agents can often effect what an appropriate response might be.

Community Quick-Check: If you hear a bang and see rising white smoke, it is likely CS
(particulate). If you see a direct liquid stream or low-hanging fog, it is likely OC (oil). Moving upwind is
always the safest immediate action.

4. Care & Remedy: Evidence-Based Support

When supporting someone who has been exposed, instinct often leads to errors. Many popular “street remedies” can
actually cause more harm than good. Our goal is to decontaminate safely without exacerbating the injury.

The L.A.W. (Liquid Antacid Water) Debate

One of the most persistent discussions in street medicine is the use of L.A.W. (a 50/50 mix of unflavored Maalox
and water).

• For EYES: NEVER. Do not put antacid
  mixtures in eyes. It is non-sterile, contains particulates that can scratch extremities, and risks serious
  eye infection. Clean water is the only safe ocular irrigant.
• For SKIN: No Proven Benefit. While widely used based on the theory that the base
  neutralizes acidity, a 2008 randomized controlled trial (Barry et al.) found no significant difference in
  pain relief between Maalox, whole milk, baby shampoo, and plain water.
• Verdict: It may be better to carry an ample amount of bottled water without additives, as it may not only help against chemical agents, but dehydration as well.

Protocol 1: Immediate Field Management

1. Relocation is Priority #1: The primary “antidote” is fresh air. Chemical agents work by
   concentration; leaving the cloud vastly reduces the dosage. Assist the individual in moving upwind.
2. De-escalate Panic: Respiratory distress causes panic, which induces rapid, shallow
   breathing. This forces the individual to inhale more of the agent. Coaching slow, deliberate
   breathing (e.g., “In through the nose, out through the mouth”) is a critical medical intervention in itself.

Protocol 2: Eye Decontamination (The Gold Standard)

The “Milk” Myth: Do not use milk. It is not sterile and it can introduce infection risk to an already vulnerable eye.

The Correct Technique:

• Use copious amounts of cool, clean water.
• Tilt the head so the water flows from the inner corner (near the nose) to the outer
  corner. This prevents contaminated runoff from entering the other eye.
• Flush for 10–20 minutes. More is better.
• Do NOT Rub: CS works like microscopic dust. Rubbing grinds these crystals into the cornea,
  potentially causing corneal abrasions.

Protocol 3: Skin Decontamination

• Remove the Source: Carefully cut away or remove outer clothing. This effectively removes
  ~80% of the contaminant.
• Temperature Matters: Use COOL water. Hot water opens the pores, which can
  drive the chemical oils deeper into the skin and worsen the burning sensation.
• The Soap Choice: Use a mild, soap-free cleanser (like baby soap) or a grease-cutting
  detergent (like dish soap) for OC oils. Avoid oil-based lotions.
• Please note that when dealing with both skin and eye decontamination, it may burn more when initially performing decontamination, but should minimize overall pain and irritation.

5. Red Flags: When to Seek Professional Care

While most symptoms resolve with fresh air and time, some exposures require immediate professional medical
attention. Watch for these warning signs:

• Respiratory Distress: Stridor (a high-pitched wheezing sound), inability to speak in full
  sentences, or severe shortness of breath that does not improve after 15 minutes in fresh air.
• Persistent Eye Pain: Severe pain or vision loss lasting more than 45 minutes despite
  irrigation.
• HC Smoke Exposure: Any suspected exposure to HC smoke in an enclosed space warrants
  evaluation due to delayed toxicity risks.
• Systemic Shock: Disorientation, chest pain, or loss of consciousness.
• Burns or Potential Concussion: Due to chemical agent dispersion weapons often having kinetic (tear gas rounds/ “pepper balls”) or explosive (gas/smoke grenades) components, anyone with direct or close indirect contact with them should be evaluated for burns or blunt force injuries. So-called “safer” tear gas rounds sometimes market themselves as being no more lethal than a little league baseball pitcher (with an equivalent force of a baseball hitting someone at 40mph), and grenades often heating up to multiple times past the boiling point of water to spread their contents.

6. Special Populations: Assessing Risk

Chemical agents are indiscriminate, but their effects are not equal. Certain groups face disproportionately
higher risks:

• Asthma & COPD: High risk of severe bronchospasm. Responders should prioritize moving these
  individuals to fresh air immediately.
• Contact Lens Wearers: Lenses can trap chemicals against the cornea. They should be removed
  immediately (with clean hands) and discarded. If you know you are going to a high risk area, wear glasses, not contacts!
• Pregnancy: There isn’t a great deal of data which investigate the risk of so-called “riot control agents” in people experiencing pregnancy and any related risk to a fetus; That said, many associated actions by those using said actions (blunt force trauma, Long Range Acoustic Devices, etc) can risk both the pregnant individual and the fetus substantially.

7. Preparedness: Accessible Protection

Protection does not strictly require professional gear. Many effective solutions are accessible and affordable,
enhancing community resilience.

Respiratory Health

• N95 Masks (Appropriate Use): N95s act as
  a physical barrier against the CS crystals/dust, which constitute the bulk of the cloud. However,
  they do not block chemical vapors. You will still smell the agent and feel irritation, but
  you will inhale significantly less of the heavy toxic particulate. Better than nothing, but not complete
  protection.
• Respirators (Best Practice): A full-face respirator equipped with P100 / Organic Vapor cartridges (often pink/yellow) provides comprehensive protection against both particles and chemical vapors. This is the gold standard for field safety.

Ocular Safety

• Swim Goggles: An affordable, effective solution. Airtight swim
  goggles prevent gas ingress completely. (Pro tip: treat with anti-fog spray beforehand).
• Safety Goggles: If choosing hardware-store goggles, ensure they are marked “non-vented” or
  “indirectly vented.” Direct-vent goggles offer no protection against smoke, and spray very rarely comes from a singular angle.

Gloves and Boots

• Mechanic Gloves: Often are made of some hydrophobic materials, can be fit over nitrile gloves (which should also be used), and are at least somewhat heat resistant, should you come into contact with the chemical agent directly.
• Steel-toe Boots: In case of an “indirect weapon” striking one’s self directly, steel toe boots (and other garments that can cushion a blow) are often well advised, though pricing can vary wildly, and one should also take into account the additional weight/discomfort if standing or moving for long periods of time.

The “Sacrificial Layer” Strategy

Chemical agents bind to oils and fibers. Synthetic fabrics (polyester, nylon) are hydrophobic
and resist this binding better than cotton or wool.

We recommend a “sacrificial layer” approach: wear a cheap, oversized polyester windbreaker as your outer shell.
If exposed, this layer can be rapidly removed, taking the majority of the chemical contaminant with it and
sparing your clothing underneath. if you want to get fancy with it, a Tyvek Suit, which can be gotten at nearly any hardware store may be an appropriate additional layer.

Do note however that given human nature, if your kit is particularly apparent, this might attract additional attention and actions which may put you in a greater risk category. Discretion and Common Sense, as in with many things, are essential.

8. Building Your Safety Kit

Preparedness is a form of community care. These kits are tiered by budget to ensure safety is accessible, though not all kits can stand up to all chemical agents.

The Essential Kit (~ $25)

• Respiratory: 3-pack N95 masks
• Eyes: Basic swim goggles
• Skin: Thrifted polyester windbreaker
• Hands: Nitrile gloves

The Standard Kit (~ $60)

• Respiratory: Reusable Half-face respirator
• Filters: P100 / Organic Vapor cartridges
• Eyes: Non-vented construction goggles
• Skin: Dedicated rain shell (sacrificial)

The Community Medic Kit (~ $100+)

• Respiratory: Full-face respirator (Surplus/Industrial)
• Skin: Tyvek suit or full rain gear
• Decon: Portable pressurized water sprayer (for eye irrigation)

Key Takeaways for Community Safety

• Knowledge reduces panic. Recognizing the difference between smoke (CS/HC) and spray (OC)
  allows for a calmer, more effective response.
• Distance is key. There is no chemical neutralizer safer or more effective than fresh
  air. Moving the affected person from further attack is the priority.
• Water is the standard. Avoid complex or higher risk remedies; rely on massive irrigation with clean
  water.
• We protect us. A kit essentially acts as a barrier between a community member and harm.
  Even basic protection like goggles and masks makes a profound difference, whether it’s on the person directly affected, or someone trying to get that person to safety.

Stay safe, stay informed, and look out for one another.