Avelina Maier, Class of 2022
As protesters gather around the country to support the Black Lives Matter movement and respond to a long history of police brutality against Black people in the United States, law enforcement officers are using crowd control weapons like pepper spray and tear gas, risking the health of both protesters and bystanders. These chemical irritants, used in attempts to control and manage riot outbreaks, can have extremely taxing effects on the body.
How do chemical irritants work?
Riot control agents (RCAs) like tear gas are chemical compounds that temporarily make those on the receiving end very confused and unable to function within seconds of exposure. Contact with tear gas leads to irritation of the respiratory system, eyes, and skin. According to an article reviewed by Kevin Martinez, M.D., the pain occurs because the chemicals in tear gas bind with one of two pain receptors called TRPA1 and TRPV1. TRPA1 is the same pain receptor that the oils in mustard, wasabi, and horseradish bind to give them their strong flavors. CS and CR gas are more than 10,000 times more potent than the oil found in these vegetables. Moreover, the eyes also have pain receptors that cause pain upon irritant exposure. When these compounds come into contact with the eye, these nerves send signals to the brain which, in turn, causes pain and tears.
It is important to remember that these weapons are especially dangerous because of their indiscriminate effect. This means that anyone in the targeted area, protesters, bystanders, or local residents, can be affected.
How to protect your eyes and skin:
Barrier methods are the most effective way to protect yourself from these weapons. One example of this method are swim goggles because they create a tight deal around the eyes, but still leave the nose and mouth area exposed. Individuals can escalate to using scuba goggles or a gas mask as well as face shields.
It is extremely important to note that one must completely avoid wearing contact lenses when attending protests and opt for glasses instead. Contacts can trap harmful chemicals from chemical irritants and maintain exposure to the eye. In response to these irritants, the eye tears up. Contact lenses trap tears on the eye which prevents the eye from self cleaning.
Additionally, individuals who plan on attending protests should refrain from applying makeup. Due to a majority of makeup products being oil based and RCAs are oil-soluble, when mixed, it can be a disastrous combination that can lead to long term exposure to the irritants and in turn, cause severe chemical burns. SPF can have this dangerous effect as well. Oil heavy sunscreen
products can trap these chemical irritants in the skin. It is still very important to protect the skin from the sun’s harmful rays during protests, it is encouraged to use oil-free and/or non comedogenic as well as water-based sunblocks. If you are wearing a water-resistant sunscreen, it may also potentially shield away other materials in the environment because sunscreens are heavily made up of polymers to form a film to protect our skin.
What to do when exposed to chemical irritants:
Critical steps for treatment:
1. Don’t put anything in the patient’s eyes other than one of the decontamination solutions listed above.
2. The patient should not use flavored antacids (NO MINT FLAVORING); these kinds of antacids can increase the absorption of the active ingredient in mace/pepper spray and are irritants as well.
3. There are multiple protocols for removing irritants from skin; water and detergent is the best treatment. Whatever you use to clean the patient’s skin, keep the solution out of the patient’s eyes during the process.
In the wake of these revolutionary times, it is important to always keep your safety, as well as the safety of others, in mind. We are all fighting to achieve one thing, to dismantle and revolutionize the system that has failed to protect the Black community as well as other minorities. For those who are unable to protest here are other ways you can participate in the Black Lives Matter movement:
Support Black owned businesses in Los Angeles. Created by Kat Hong of the Infatuation, this crow-sourced list contains over 300 entries and can be sorted by neighborhood and/or cuisine. Click here:https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18w-0RBhwBBlXDN9kRV9DVSCAGSCjtHb9K0Pq2YB v18U/htmlview?usp=sharing&pru=AAABcpeacmA%2A6gAbNFy8xv7jC_8zUtfslQ
Donate:
Click the link below for a list of funds that still need donations! https://nymag.com/strategist/article/where-to-donate-for-black-lives-matter.html#victim-memorial
Sign petitions:
Click the link below for lists of petitions to sign! https://www.bleumag.com/2020/06/03/30-blm-petitions-you-should-sign-right-now/
Click the link below for a comprehensive resource list for the Black Lives Matter movement! (created by @jaywatkins_ on Instagram) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jsCO7zuVvpj4gWyheDZ1jH2i83hVUsYLjEhsLnl9-8c/edit
There is no excuse to not take part in these alternative resources. Silence is violence. If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. With extremely advanced technology, there is no excuse to be educated on these matters. Instead of asking POC and members of the Black community to explain, educate yourself.
Works Cited
“CDC | Fact Sheet: Facts About Riot Control Agents,” May 16, 2019. https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/riotcontrol/factsheet.asp.
NPR.org. “From ‘Flash Bangs’ To ‘Rubber’ Bullets: The Very Real Risks of ‘Riot Control Agents.’” Accessed June 9, 2020. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/06/06/871423767/from-flash-bangs-to-r ubber-bullets-the-very-real-risks-of-riot-control-agents.
EMS1. “Riot Control Rx.” Accessed June 9, 2020. https://www.ems1.com/ems-products/medical-equipment/articles/riot-control-rx-LeTti6f QoNzIIrl8/.
Smith, Jake. “What to Do If You’ve Been Exposed to Tear Gas, According to an Expert.” Prevention, June 1, 2020. https://www.prevention.com/health/a32719628/tear-gas-treatment/.
Healthline. “Tear Gas Effects: Symptoms, Complications, Treatment & Prevention.” Accessed June 9, 2020. https://www.healthline.com/health/tear-gas-effects.
How do chemical irritants work?
Riot control agents (RCAs) like tear gas are chemical compounds that temporarily make those on the receiving end very confused and unable to function within seconds of exposure. Contact with tear gas leads to irritation of the respiratory system, eyes, and skin. According to an article reviewed by Kevin Martinez, M.D., the pain occurs because the chemicals in tear gas bind with one of two pain receptors called TRPA1 and TRPV1. TRPA1 is the same pain receptor that the oils in mustard, wasabi, and horseradish bind to give them their strong flavors. CS and CR gas are more than 10,000 times more potent than the oil found in these vegetables. Moreover, the eyes also have pain receptors that cause pain upon irritant exposure. When these compounds come into contact with the eye, these nerves send signals to the brain which, in turn, causes pain and tears.
It is important to remember that these weapons are especially dangerous because of their indiscriminate effect. This means that anyone in the targeted area, protesters, bystanders, or local residents, can be affected.
How to protect your eyes and skin:
Barrier methods are the most effective way to protect yourself from these weapons. One example of this method are swim goggles because they create a tight deal around the eyes, but still leave the nose and mouth area exposed. Individuals can escalate to using scuba goggles or a gas mask as well as face shields.
It is extremely important to note that one must completely avoid wearing contact lenses when attending protests and opt for glasses instead. Contacts can trap harmful chemicals from chemical irritants and maintain exposure to the eye. In response to these irritants, the eye tears up. Contact lenses trap tears on the eye which prevents the eye from self cleaning.
Additionally, individuals who plan on attending protests should refrain from applying makeup. Due to a majority of makeup products being oil based and RCAs are oil-soluble, when mixed, it can be a disastrous combination that can lead to long term exposure to the irritants and in turn, cause severe chemical burns. SPF can have this dangerous effect as well. Oil heavy sunscreen
products can trap these chemical irritants in the skin. It is still very important to protect the skin from the sun’s harmful rays during protests, it is encouraged to use oil-free and/or non comedogenic as well as water-based sunblocks. If you are wearing a water-resistant sunscreen, it may also potentially shield away other materials in the environment because sunscreens are heavily made up of polymers to form a film to protect our skin.
What to do when exposed to chemical irritants:
Critical steps for treatment:
- Stop the spread.
- Get it off the skin and out of the eyes.
- Do NOT make it worse.
- Monitor breathing.
- Stop the spread: Assess the scene for safety. Do not take unnecessary risks, or expose yourself to harm. Do not rub the patient’s skin or soft tissues (such as eyes).* Do not touch contaminated areas, if avoidable. Instruct the patient to keep their hands away from their face. Move the patient to a safe location.
- Get it off: Decontaminate the eyes first. Make sure contact lenses are washed out and disposed of. Gently pour saline-solution, water or other forms of safe decontamination solution directly in the eyes, aiming away from the nose. Saline is especially important as it mimics the eye's natural production of tears.
An important technique to note when attending to victims of these chemical irritants, do not pour the decontamination solution over the patient’s forehead; this can wash more chemical irritants into the eyes. Have the patient blink as the solution flows over eyes. Do not force the patient’s eyes open; that could cause further contamination or injury.
Some decontamination solution options:- Normal saline in an IV bag
- Homemade Saline: Mix two (leveled) teaspoons or 10 grams of table salt per liter
of water. This is slightly stronger than an IV (intravenous) solution but is great for decontamination. Salt draws water out of tissues and pulls some of the irritant away from the cell surface. A solution that has a slightly higher salt concentration will work better than normal saline. This homemade saline solution is 3 times less concentrated than sea water; it will not burn or otherwise harm a patient. - Liquid antacid and water: A liquid antacid such as “milk of magnesia” or Maalox is mixed 50/50 with water. MAKE SURE THERE IS NO MINT FLAVORING IN THE ANTACID!
1. Don’t put anything in the patient’s eyes other than one of the decontamination solutions listed above.
2. The patient should not use flavored antacids (NO MINT FLAVORING); these kinds of antacids can increase the absorption of the active ingredient in mace/pepper spray and are irritants as well.
3. There are multiple protocols for removing irritants from skin; water and detergent is the best treatment. Whatever you use to clean the patient’s skin, keep the solution out of the patient’s eyes during the process.
In the wake of these revolutionary times, it is important to always keep your safety, as well as the safety of others, in mind. We are all fighting to achieve one thing, to dismantle and revolutionize the system that has failed to protect the Black community as well as other minorities. For those who are unable to protest here are other ways you can participate in the Black Lives Matter movement:
Support Black owned businesses in Los Angeles. Created by Kat Hong of the Infatuation, this crow-sourced list contains over 300 entries and can be sorted by neighborhood and/or cuisine. Click here:https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18w-0RBhwBBlXDN9kRV9DVSCAGSCjtHb9K0Pq2YB v18U/htmlview?usp=sharing&pru=AAABcpeacmA%2A6gAbNFy8xv7jC_8zUtfslQ
Donate:
Click the link below for a list of funds that still need donations! https://nymag.com/strategist/article/where-to-donate-for-black-lives-matter.html#victim-memorial
Sign petitions:
Click the link below for lists of petitions to sign! https://www.bleumag.com/2020/06/03/30-blm-petitions-you-should-sign-right-now/
Click the link below for a comprehensive resource list for the Black Lives Matter movement! (created by @jaywatkins_ on Instagram) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jsCO7zuVvpj4gWyheDZ1jH2i83hVUsYLjEhsLnl9-8c/edit
There is no excuse to not take part in these alternative resources. Silence is violence. If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. With extremely advanced technology, there is no excuse to be educated on these matters. Instead of asking POC and members of the Black community to explain, educate yourself.
Works Cited
“CDC | Fact Sheet: Facts About Riot Control Agents,” May 16, 2019. https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/riotcontrol/factsheet.asp.
NPR.org. “From ‘Flash Bangs’ To ‘Rubber’ Bullets: The Very Real Risks of ‘Riot Control Agents.’” Accessed June 9, 2020. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/06/06/871423767/from-flash-bangs-to-r ubber-bullets-the-very-real-risks-of-riot-control-agents.
EMS1. “Riot Control Rx.” Accessed June 9, 2020. https://www.ems1.com/ems-products/medical-equipment/articles/riot-control-rx-LeTti6f QoNzIIrl8/.
Smith, Jake. “What to Do If You’ve Been Exposed to Tear Gas, According to an Expert.” Prevention, June 1, 2020. https://www.prevention.com/health/a32719628/tear-gas-treatment/.
Healthline. “Tear Gas Effects: Symptoms, Complications, Treatment & Prevention.” Accessed June 9, 2020. https://www.healthline.com/health/tear-gas-effects.
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