On Monday the 18th of November, protesters in HONG KONG clashing with the police at the cities polytechnic university, who spent days trying to keep the police out are now desperately, trying to get out avoiding arrest but mostly due to the tear gas effects used by the police. For a substance that is characterized as a chemical warfare agent, it is mostly used on civilians and for crowd control. Tear gas, the most commonly used substance for controlling angry protesters by the police which is very illogical.
The effects impacted by tear gas are not great for the health of a person, and it also comes with life-ruining side effects, and many unintended consequences that are also bad even small amounts can penetrate the skin and can cause nerve-racking pain. What is tear gas? And why is it fear so much? Despite its name tear gas isn't gas but an aerosol. Early forms of tear gas were first used in World War 1, both by GERMANY and FRANCE, but Chlorobenzaldene malononitrile and chloroacetophenone or in short (CS) and (CN) are the chemical substance found in the most commonly used. Tear gas is found at a solid-state at room temperature and mixed with gas or liquid dispersal agent when used as a weapon made to activate pain-sensing nerves.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF TEAR GAS
During exposure, the side effect starts after 29 to 30 seconds which are normally; irritation of the mucous membranes of the lungs, mouth, and eyes. It causes a watery burning sensation in the eyes, chest pain; it also includes difficulty with breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, nausea, salivation, and running nose.
It causes injury to your airway when you breathe in which you can’t stop doing due to its gaseous state. These symptoms are supposed to be temporary and should not last more than 30 minutes, but if there is prolonged exposure due to your inability to get out of the vicinity of the tear gas, more problems or other health issues that are caused by tear gas my occur like permanent lung damage, asthma, chemical burns, chronic skin reaction and some people also suffer respiratory distress or hypoxia which is a condition whereby people can’t get enough oxygen into their bodies.Because it is gas, Tear gas covers a wide range, most often innocent civilians and children who are no part of the protest groups usually caught up and also suffer the same side effect from the tear gas.
Children are the ones who are most affected by the tear gas because their bodies are weak and they have less dense skin than the adults, and because of this suffer more and long-lasting effects compared to adults. Some may even end up being permanently scarred for life because of its effects.
Unfortunately, there are only so few things people can do this in this situation. People who find their self’s in situations involving tear gas should get away from the vicinity of the gas. Since tear gas is heavier than air it should soon after release start falling to the ground so you may want to get to higher ground where u can be safe or have no exposure to the gas.
Once away from the vicinity of the gas flushing your easy out with large amounts of water will help to clear it out even though water initially makes it worse, large amounts should clear it out but most people have found out that pouring milk or milky substances on their faces is one of the homemade remedies after being affected by tear gas. it is believed that milk soothes the pain induced from tear gas, also antacids such as Maalox dissolved in water is advised as one of the ways to relieve yourself from the effects of tear gas.
It is also important to get fresh air and if available wash your face with soap because soap, when combined with water, helps remove tear gas. The gas will also hang on to your clothes so you would want to get a change of clothes as soon as possible.
Some people still experience some symptoms after 20 to 30 minutes like issues with their eyes lungs or nostrils, if so contact a doctor or visit the hospital, after effect like these are usually seen after being exposed to tear gas.