Energy Citations Database

Bibliographic Citation

 
Document
For copies of Journal Articles, please contact the Publisher or your local public or university library and refer to the information in the Resource Relation field.
For copies of other documents, please see the Availability, Publisher, Research Organization, Resource Relation and/or Author (affiliation information) fields and/or Document Availability.
Title Tear gas--harassing agent or toxic chemical weapon
Creator/Author Hu, H. ; Fine, J. ; Epstein, P. ; Kelsey, K. ; Reynolds, P. ; Walker, B.
Publication Date1989 Aug 04
OSTI IdentifierOSTI ID: 5596164
Other Number(s)CODEN: JAMAA
Resource TypeJournal Article
Resource RelationJAMA, J. Am. Med. Assoc. ; Vol/Issue: 262:5
Research OrgBrigham and Women`s Hospital, Boston, MA (USA)
Subject560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology; CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS-- TOXICITY; ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE;MAN;REVIEWS
Related SubjectANIMALS;DOCUMENT TYPES;MAMMALS;PRIMATES;VERTEBRATES;WEAPONS
Description/Abstract Tear gas has gained widespread acceptance as a means of controlling civilian crowds and subduing barricaded criminals.^The most widely used forms of tear gas have been o-chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile and omega-chloroacetophenone.^Proponents of their use claim that, if used correctly, the noxious effects of exposure are transient and of no long-term consequences.^The use of tear gas in recent situations of civil unrest, however, demonstrates that exposure to the weapon is difficult to control and indiscriminate, and the weapon is often not used correctly.^Severe traumatic injury from exploding tear gas bombs as well as lethal toxic injury have been documented.^Moreover, available toxicological data are deficient as to the potential of tear gas agents to cause long-term pulmonary, carcinogenic, and reproductive effects.^Published and recent unpublished in vitro tests have shown o-chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile to be both clastogenic and mutagenic.^Sadly, the nature of its use renders analytic epidemiologic investigation of exposed persons difficult.^In 1969, eighty countries voted to include tear gas agents among chemical weapons banned under the Geneva Protocol.^There is an ongoing need for investigation into the full toxicological potential of tear gas chemicals and renewed debate on whether their use can be condoned under any circumstances.^48 references.
Country of PublicationUnited States
LanguageEnglish
FormatPages: 660-663
System Entry Date2001 May 13

Top