Effects of pepper grenade explosions on non-combatant bystanders

Abstract

Pepper gas is used for riot control in many parts of the world. Yet, its effects on bystanders are largely unreported. We fielded a questionnaire-based survey of 500 bystanders exposed to gas when police used pepper grenades against belligerent 'stone-pelters' in the northern Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir. Of 294 non-combatants who consented to participate in our survey, 97 per cent developed cough and irritation of the throat within few seconds of breathing the pungent smelling gas. They reported respiratory problems, dermatologic symptoms, sleep disturbances, and mood changes with varying frequency. Sixteen reported exacerbations of underlying respiratory disorders, with one temporally related to death. Symptoms led 51 to get medical attention. Nearly all respondents reported that symptoms recurred on re-exposure. We conclude that use of pepper grenades can cause serious acute symptoms in non-combatants accidentally exposed. We recommend alternate methods of riot control - water cannons, baton charges, tasers, plastic or rubber bullets, and so on - that have no collateral side effects on non-combatants be considered for routine use.

Tear gas exposure and its association with respiratory emergencies in infants and older adults during the social uprising of 2019 in Chile: an observational, longitudinal, repeated measures study

“…Our results are consistent with the reports of chemical agents affecting the upper and/or lower respiratory tract, which at the same time are frequent causes for acute and long-term respiratory illness 34. Our results are also consistent with the findings related to direct and indirect exposure about tear gas developing respiratory symptomatology6–8 12 and similar to what was observed in occupational exposure 11. Though we did not analyse how many of the respiratory emergencies ended in hospitalisation, the increase in emergencies and diagnosis of lower respiratory tract illnesses during the period of exposure is suggestive of the repercussions that tear gas can have in respiratory health for vulnerable populations.…”

“…The other study had a group of patients with and without exposure and studied long-term effects of tear gas, finding higher rates of deleterious effects in those exposed-significant even with a small sample size 8. We did not study long-term effects, but we did compare periods of exposure in bystanders (infants and older adults) and we found a detrimental effect to health, consistent with the findings in bystanders reported by Koul et al 6…”

“…7 The other study had a group of patients with and without exposure and studied long-term effects of tear gas, finding higher rates of deleterious effects in those exposed-significant even with a small sample size. 8 We did Open access not study long-term effects, but we did compare periods of exposure in bystanders (infants and adults) and we found a detrimental effect to health, consistent with the findings in bystanders reported by Koul et al 6 Our study supports the hypothesis that massive use of tear gas can induce respiratory diseases. Especially, the CS component of tear gas has been demonstrated to have deleterious effects in the respiratory tract, affecting a mechanism associated with transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 channels that also are expressed in the nervous system, cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract, among other organs.…”

“…Additionally, it is a challenge to have evidence of long-term respiratory effects with incidental exposures 3–5. Two studies documented the effects of secondary exposure in adults; immediate and short-term reported symptoms included respiratory tract irritation, cough, shortness of breath and worsening symptoms of previous respiratory diseases 6 7. After 8–10 months of follow-up, some cases presented with persistent complaints and aggravated asthma 7…”

Health Issues and Healthcare Utilization Among Adults Who Reported Exposure to Tear Gas during the 2020 Portland (OR) Protests: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…In the Portland, Oregon community, survey respondents reported typical health effects immediately following exposure, such as tearing and burning eyes, irritation of the upper and lower respiratory tract, and a burning sensation on the skin. These ndings align with ndings in small, retrospective studies conducted outside the U.S. [26][27][28][29]. In addition, respondents commonly reported delayed headaches, gastrointestinal issues, and menstrual changes that have not yet been reported in the peer-reviewed literature [8].…”