Is CS Gas Dangerous?

CS gas is a chemical compound commonly used by police to control riot situations and evacuate buildings.  It causes severe and debilitating reactions in the tear ducts and mucus membranes. This agent was first used in the late 1950s and is widely used to combat civil unrest. Modern gas masks offer excellent protection against CS gas.

This chemical compound was first isolated in 1928 and is named for the men, Corson and Stoughton, who first developed its active ingredient. Most commonly this chemical agent is deployed using small grenade-like canisters, which may be thrown or launched. Spray delivery systems are also sometimes used. The most common name for this compound is “tear gas“. This name derives from the most prominent physical effects of the gas. Other chemical agents with similar debilitating but non-lethal effects may also be referred to as “tear gas,” however.

How Does It Work
Tear gas is generally released into the air as a gas or an aerosol. Tear gas often comes in a canister that is shot from a gun. The canister releases the gas as it flies through the air and bounces along the ground, spreading the gas over a wide area. Once the tear gas comes into contact with eyes, skin or mucous membranes, it causes severe irritation. Interestingly, tear gas has little or no effect on animals, which means that dogs and horses used by the military or police can continue to work unaffected in an area that has been tear-gassed.

Effects on Human Body
Reactions to CS gas vary to some extent, but are typically both painful and debilitating. The substance irritates the eyes and mucous membranes, which makes vision difficult. Breathing after exposure to CS gas is also difficult and can be quite painful. Many people exposed to this substance find it impossible to breathe through their nostrils. Other physical effects, including pain and nausea, are also not uncommon. t is common for eyes and eyelids to swell noticeably. Tear gas also irritates exposed skin, causing a burning sensation and a rash.

Components
Tear gas can be used for any of several chemical compounds that cause excessive tearing and irritation. Chloroacetophenone (CN), 2-chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile (CS, the molecular formula is C10H5ClN2, also called as o-chlorobenzalmalononitrile) and dibenzoxazepine (CR) are the three most commonly used tear gasses. These three chemical compounds have the same basic effects.

Modern gas masks are highly effective in protecting a wearer against the effects of this gas. The compound may still cause irritation of the skin, however. This occurs because the chemical irritant can penetrate into pores, and this causes a painful reaction. Heavy clothing can limit this effect, as can taking care not to rub areas that are exposed to CS gas. Warm weather exacerbates the topical effect of the gas, because sweating causes pores to open wider.

Uriah Sweety is the freelance writer for e-commerce website in the chemistry. Guidechem.com is just a place for you to look for some chemicals! Our guidechem provide the most convenient conditions for the international buyers and let these leads benefit all the business people.

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