HEALTH RISK EVALUATION OF TEAR GAS PRODUCTS CONTAINING OLEORESIN CAPSICUM

• NCJ Number: 146587
• Author(s): M J DiBartolomeis; R A Howd; J Bankowska; A M Fan; R J Jackson; S A Book
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: California EPA
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Technical Assistance)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Paper presented at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology, March 14-19, 1993; Toxicologist 13:417, 1993

Annotation

This report evaluates a type of tear gas weapon, containing Oleoresin Capsicum (OC), an extract of chili peppers, recently proposed for marketing in California.

Abstract

The California office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment assessed OC-based tear gas products to determine if they are harmful or toxic or present any health hazard to humans. The evaluation noted that tear gas weapons are intended to temporarily incapacitate a person. In an aerosol form, OC exposure causes eye debilitation and respiratory irritation. However, few traditional toxicology studies exist on OC, particularly with regard to possible irreversible and undesirable ocular, nervous system, and teratogenic effects. As a result, risk assessment is difficult. Nevertheless, OC use in other States has not produced significant adverse effects. In addition, OC products are preferable to a greater level of force such as use of a police baton or other tear gas weapons. Therefore, California should conduct a 3-year trial period and assessment of use by law enforcement personnel only.