Riot control agents: pharmacology, toxicology, biochemistry and chemistry

Olajos, Eugene J.; Salem, Harry

doi:10.1002/jat.767

Cited by 122 publications

(124 citation statements)

References 272 publications

(207 reference statements)

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“…6,10,14,15 The severity of health effects from pepper spray exposures may be contingent on several product-, dispersal-, and patient-related factors. 3 Pepper spray products have varying capsaicin and capsaicinoid concentrations, as well as different solvents that serve as carrying or suspending agents. 3,4,7 The dispersal system for these products ranges from a liquid spray to aerosolization, thus dictating particle size and penetration into mucosal membranes and airways.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The principal symptoms observed with mucous membrane and respiratory tract exposure are cough and transient throat irritation. 1,3 Bronchospasm and laryngospasm have been reported, including one reported death. 11,12 The effects on airway resistance are variable and often noted as transient.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[1][2][3] They are also used as an animal repellant and are available over the counter to the general public for self-defense.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pepper Spray Injury Severity: Ten-year Case Experience of a Poison Control System

Kearney¹,

Hiatt²,

Birdsall³

et al. 2014

Prehospital Emergency Care

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Background. Pepper spray is a common lacrimator used by law enforcement and the public to subdue individuals and for self-defense. The risk factors for severe injury due to pepper spray exposure are not well documented and there is a lack of guidelines to identify patients that require transport and medical evaluation in an emergency department. Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of and circumstances associated with symptoms suggestive of tissue injury beyond transient irritation in persons exposed to pepper spray. Methods. We reviewed all human exposures to pepper spray reported to a poison control system between 2002 and 2011. Cases were differentiated into 2 outcome groups: minor or self-limiting symptoms versus those with more severe symptoms suggestive of tissue injury that warranted a medical evaluation. A comparison of the variables between the outcome groups was performed using odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and associated P values. Results. A total of 4,544 cases were identified and 3,671 met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 249 cases (6.8%) were found to have more severe symptoms that warranted a medical evaluation. There were no reported deaths. The cases with more severe symptoms most commonly involved the ocular (53.8%), respiratory (31.7%), and dermal (17.7%) organ systems. Factors with largest independent associations with more severe outcomes were use for law enforcement training (OR, 7.39; 95% CI,, direct intentional exposure for purposeful use to incapacitate (OR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.80-5.06), and for law enforcement on individual target suspects or crowd control (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.42-4.23). Conclusions. There was a low 1 in 15 potential risk for more severe adverse health effects in persons exposed to pepper spray that warranted a medical evaluation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pepper Spray Injury Severity: Ten-year Case Experience of a Poison Control System

Kearney¹,

Hiatt²,

Birdsall³

et al. 2014

Prehospital Emergency Care

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“…The phenoxy radical is involved in mutagenesis by capsaicin. Degradation of capsaicin to electrophilic intermediates that covalently react with DNA, RNA or proteins, is believed to be related to capsaicin-induced mutagenicity and carcinogenicity (28).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Capsaicin-induced apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells through caspase-independent pathway

Chen¹

2009

Oncol Rep

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Abstract. , a significant pungent ingredient in a variety of red peppers of the genus Capsicum, is a type of vanilloid. It has been shown to exert biological activities (anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic and chemopreventive) in many cancer cell lines. It was found that capsaicin induces dose-dependent growth inhibition of MCF-7 cells, which does not express caspase-3. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism of capsaicin-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. Treatment with capsaicin for 24 h resulted in dose-dependent apoptosis in these cells. After the addition of capsaicin, the levels of reactive oxygen species were reduced slightly in the earlier stage of treatment. Interestingly, an elevation of intracellular calcium ion concentration was detected in the MCF-7 cells. In time course and dosage studies, the mitochondrial membrane potential of MCF-7 cells decreased. However, the change was not significant. It is worth noting that the apoptosis-inducing factor translocated into the cytosol and nucleus from the mitochondria. Our results suggest that capsaicin induces cellular apoptosis through a caspase-independent pathway in MCF-7 cells, and that reactive oxygen species and intracellular calcium ion fluctuation has a minimal role in the process.

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“…The limited research shows that exposure to riot control agents may produce significant toxic effects even when they are used in accordance with instructions. See Olajos and Salem (2001) for a toxicological perspective. 3 The US military has historically allowed the use of riot control agents, placing the United States outside the international norms regulating chemical weapons.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Medical Humanitarianism Under Atmospheric Violence: Health Professionals in the 2013 Gezi Protests in Turkey

Açıksöz

2015

Cult Med Psychiatry

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During the 2013 Gezi protests in Turkey, volunteering health professionals provided on-site medical assistance to protesters faced with police violence characterized by the extensive use of riot control agents. This led to a government crackdown on the medical community and the criminalization of ''unauthorized'' first aid amidst international criticisms over violations of medical neutrality. Drawing from ethnographic observations, in-depth interviews with health care professionals, and archival research, this article ethnographically analyzes the polarized encounter between the Turkish government and medical professionals aligned with social protest. I demonstrate how the context of ''atmospheric violence''-the extensive use of riot control agents like tear gas-brings about new politico-ethical spaces and dilemmas for healthcare professionals. I then analyze how Turkish health professionals framed their provision of health services to protestors in the language of medical humanitarianism, and how the state dismissed their claims to humanitarian neutrality by criminalizing emergency care. Exploring the vexed role that health workers and medical organizations played in the Gezi protests and the consequent political contestations over doctors' ethical, professional, and political responsibilities, this article examines challenges to medical humanitarianism and neutrality at times of social protest in and beyond the Middle East.

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Riot control agents: pharmacology, toxicology, biochemistry and chemistry

Cited by 122 publications

References 272 publications

Pepper Spray Injury Severity: Ten-year Case Experience of a Poison Control System

Pepper Spray Injury Severity: Ten-year Case Experience of a Poison Control System

Capsaicin-induced apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells through caspase-independent pathway

Medical Humanitarianism Under Atmospheric Violence: Health Professionals in the 2013 Gezi Protests in Turkey

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