Pepper spray,also known as OC spray (from "Resin"Oleoresin Capsicum" gas,and capsicum spray,is a lachrymatory agent(a chemical compound that irritates the eyes to cause tears, pain, and even temporary blindness) that is used in riot control, crowd control,and personal self-defence, including defence against dogs and bears.Its inflammatory effects cause the eyes to close, taking away vision. This temporary blindness allows officers to more easily restrain subjects and permits persons using pepper spray for self-defense an opportunity to escape.
Although considered a non-lethal agent,it may be deadly in rare cases, and concerns have been raised about a number of deaths where being pepper sprayed may have been a contributing factor.
The active ingredient in pepper spray is capsaicin,which is a chemical derived from the fruit of plants in the Capsicum genus,including Chili pepper.Extraction of oleoresin capsicum from peppers involves finely ground capsicum, from which capsaicin is extracted in an organic solvent such as ethanol. The solvent is then evaporated, and the remaining wax like resin is the oleoresin capsicum. An emulsifier such as propylene glycol is used to suspend the OC in water, and pressurized to make it aerosol in pepper spray. The high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) method is used to measure the amount of capsaicin and major capsaicinoids within pepper sprays.
A synthetic analogue of capsaicin, pelargonic acid vanillylamide (desmethyldihydrocapsaicin), is used in another version of pepper spray known as PAVA spray which is used in the United Kingdom.Another synthetic counterpart of pepper spray, pelargonic acid morpholide, was developed and is widely used in Russia.Its effectiveness compared to natural pepper spray is unclear.
Pepper spray typically comes in canisters, which are often small enough to be carried or concealed in a pocket or purse. Pepper spray can also be bought concealed in items such as Finger ring.There are also pepper spray projectiles available,which can be fired from a paintball gun.It has been used for years against demonstrators. Many such canisters also contain dyes, either visible or UV-reactive, to mark an attacker's skin and/or clothing to enhance identification by police.
Effects:-
Pepper spray is an inflammatory agent. It causes immediate closing of the eyes, difficulty breathing, runny nose, and coughing.The duration of its effects depends on the strength of the spray but the average full effect lasts around thirty to forty-five minutes, with diminished effects lasting for hours.
The effects of pepper spray are far more severe, including temporary blindness which lasts from 15–30 minutes, a burning sensation of the skin which lasts from 45 to 60 minutes, upper body spasms which force a person to bend forward and uncontrollable coughing making it difficult to breathe or speak for between 3 to 15 minutes.
Deactivation and first aid:-
Capsaicin is not soluble in water, and even large volumes of water will not wash it off. Victims are generally encouraged to blink vigorously in order to encourage tears, which will help flush the irritant from the eyes.
Avoid rubbing the spray into the skin, thereby prolonging the burning sensation, and in order to not spread the compound to other parts of the body, victims should try to avoid touching affected areas. There are also wipes, manufactured for the express purpose of serving to decontaminate someone who has received a dose of pepper spray. Many ambulance services and emergency departments use baby shampoo to remove the spray and with generally good effect. Some of the OC and CS will remain in the respiratory system, but a recovery of vision and the coordination of the eyes can be expected within 7 to 15 minutes.
Legality:-
Pepper spray is banned for use in war by Article I.5 of the Chemical Weapons Convention which bans the use of all riot control agents in warfare whether lethal or non-lethal.In the US, when pepper spray is used in the workplace, OSHA requires a pepper spray MSDS be available to all employees.
Asia:-
In Hong Kong, pepper spray is classified as "arms" under the "Laws of Hong Kong". Chap 238 Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance. Without a valid license from the Hong Kong Police Force,it is a crime to possess and can result in a fine of $100,000 and to imprisonment for 14 years.
In India pepper spray is legal and does not require any licence; however they are sold via government approved companies after performing a background verification.
In Iran the use of pepper spray is forbidden and is only used by police forces.
In Iraq OC spray is carried by U.S. military guard force members working in detainee operations.
In The Philippines the use of pepper spray for self defence is legal, and it is freely available in stores.
In South Korea Pepper spray containing OC is legal; however, gas-gun types need a simple licence to own. CS is only available for police and private security firms.
Although considered a non-lethal agent,it may be deadly in rare cases, and concerns have been raised about a number of deaths where being pepper sprayed may have been a contributing factor.
The active ingredient in pepper spray is capsaicin,which is a chemical derived from the fruit of plants in the Capsicum genus,including Chili pepper.Extraction of oleoresin capsicum from peppers involves finely ground capsicum, from which capsaicin is extracted in an organic solvent such as ethanol. The solvent is then evaporated, and the remaining wax like resin is the oleoresin capsicum. An emulsifier such as propylene glycol is used to suspend the OC in water, and pressurized to make it aerosol in pepper spray. The high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) method is used to measure the amount of capsaicin and major capsaicinoids within pepper sprays.
A synthetic analogue of capsaicin, pelargonic acid vanillylamide (desmethyldihydrocapsaicin), is used in another version of pepper spray known as PAVA spray which is used in the United Kingdom.Another synthetic counterpart of pepper spray, pelargonic acid morpholide, was developed and is widely used in Russia.Its effectiveness compared to natural pepper spray is unclear.
Pepper spray typically comes in canisters, which are often small enough to be carried or concealed in a pocket or purse. Pepper spray can also be bought concealed in items such as Finger ring.There are also pepper spray projectiles available,which can be fired from a paintball gun.It has been used for years against demonstrators. Many such canisters also contain dyes, either visible or UV-reactive, to mark an attacker's skin and/or clothing to enhance identification by police.
Effects:-
Pepper spray is an inflammatory agent. It causes immediate closing of the eyes, difficulty breathing, runny nose, and coughing.The duration of its effects depends on the strength of the spray but the average full effect lasts around thirty to forty-five minutes, with diminished effects lasting for hours.
The effects of pepper spray are far more severe, including temporary blindness which lasts from 15–30 minutes, a burning sensation of the skin which lasts from 45 to 60 minutes, upper body spasms which force a person to bend forward and uncontrollable coughing making it difficult to breathe or speak for between 3 to 15 minutes.
Deactivation and first aid:-
Capsaicin is not soluble in water, and even large volumes of water will not wash it off. Victims are generally encouraged to blink vigorously in order to encourage tears, which will help flush the irritant from the eyes.
Avoid rubbing the spray into the skin, thereby prolonging the burning sensation, and in order to not spread the compound to other parts of the body, victims should try to avoid touching affected areas. There are also wipes, manufactured for the express purpose of serving to decontaminate someone who has received a dose of pepper spray. Many ambulance services and emergency departments use baby shampoo to remove the spray and with generally good effect. Some of the OC and CS will remain in the respiratory system, but a recovery of vision and the coordination of the eyes can be expected within 7 to 15 minutes.
Legality:-
Pepper spray is banned for use in war by Article I.5 of the Chemical Weapons Convention which bans the use of all riot control agents in warfare whether lethal or non-lethal.In the US, when pepper spray is used in the workplace, OSHA requires a pepper spray MSDS be available to all employees.
Asia:-
In Hong Kong, pepper spray is classified as "arms" under the "Laws of Hong Kong". Chap 238 Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance. Without a valid license from the Hong Kong Police Force,it is a crime to possess and can result in a fine of $100,000 and to imprisonment for 14 years.
In India pepper spray is legal and does not require any licence; however they are sold via government approved companies after performing a background verification.
In Iran the use of pepper spray is forbidden and is only used by police forces.
In Iraq OC spray is carried by U.S. military guard force members working in detainee operations.
In The Philippines the use of pepper spray for self defence is legal, and it is freely available in stores.
In South Korea Pepper spray containing OC is legal; however, gas-gun types need a simple licence to own. CS is only available for police and private security firms.
