Tear gas is a chemical weapon that stimulates the nerves of the eyes to produce tears. It generally consists of aerosolized solid or liquid compounds, not gas.
Most of them are solid at room temperature and get mixed with liquid agents for use.
It works by irritating mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, mouth, and lungs. It causes crying, sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, pain in the eyes, and temporary blindness.
At higher concentrations, exposure can cause stomach irritation leading to diarrhea. Being hit by tear gas may make you be opened to respiratory illnesses such as Influenza or Covid 19.
It is mainly used in riots and protests to control and force crowds to disperse.
Below are tips on how you can treat yourself when you get exposed to it just to neutralize it;
1. Get out of there as quickly and calmly as you can, just remove yourself from the gas-filled area.
2. Face the wind because fresh air will help blow excess tear gas powder off of you and it will prevent it from blowing back into your mouth or eyes.
3. Wash your eyes with cold water, while rinsing your eyes, and avoid allowing the contaminated water to run onto your skin or clothes. Do not use hot water because it will just open your pores and allow the chemicals to seep in further resulting in further irritation.
The chemical weapon was first used in World War I in chemical warfare, but since its effects are short-lasting and rarely disabling, it came into use by law-enforcement agencies as a means of dispersing mobs, disabling rioters and flushing out armed suspects without the use of deadly force.
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