Rare and Severe Maxillofacial Injury Due to Tear Gas Capsules: Report of Three Cases

Abstract

Tear gases are used by police or armed forces for control of riots or social events or by the general population for private self-defense. These agents are used widely throughout the world, but some harmful effects have reported. In addition, despite well-defined chemical side effects documented in the literature, data are insufficient regarding mechanical injury due to tear gas capsules. We report three cases of severe maxillofacial injury in patients who had these capsules fired from tear gas guns directly to their faces. The capsules penetrated the patients' faces, causing potentially fatal injuries. To our knowledge, reports of this kind of injury related to tear gas capsules are very rare in the literature. In conclusion, tear gas guns may be very dangerous in terms of human health and they may cause severe injuries, especially when they are not used according to strict guidelines.

Health risks of exposure to CS gas (tear gas): an update for healthcare practitioners in Hong Kong

“…13 These deaths and other reports of ocular and maxillofacial injuries causing blindness, upper airway compromise, and permanent disfigurement highlight the risk of close-range use of CS firearms in densely populated areas. 14,15…”