Description Of Pepper Spray's Components And Possible Harms

 


Pepper spray first came into use in Japan, but was not mass produced until the 1980s. It drew criticism for being a "new toy" that should have been classified as an incendiary weapon. The first spray patents were filed by John Pemberton in 1884 and Paul Curry in 1887. The first commercialization of the product occurred on October 5, 1989 when Japanese businessmen Shosei Takayama and Ikuo Kobayashi patented their design for his spray. Tear gas and pepper spray were used extensively by the South Korean police in crowd control and riot control. The US military has also used this spray and tear gas for crowd and prisoner control and non-lethal weapons to quell prison riots.

In the mid-1990s, Dr. John K. Gaunyse, a security expert from the US Department of Energy, developed a method to formulate airborne spray by atomizing the petroleum-based capsicum solution.  In the late 1990s, the FBI opened an investigation into allegations that there were serious safety and health problems with pepper spray. The FBI investigated claims that some types of this spray use resulted in severe skin burns, blindness, respiratory distress and serious eye damage. These investigations resulted in complaints filed with the FDA and CDC regarding the inhalation of crystalline pepper spray by law enforcement personnel.

Pepper Spray's Essential Components

A key component of pepper spray is the oleoresin capsicum, which also has a high viscosity. This deters users from trying to inhale or otherwise ingest it. It is a major irritant and can cause a burning sensation on contact with mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, mouth, and throat. This causes coughing, gagging, choking, difficulty breathing, nausea, and vomiting. It also causes tearing of the eyes to the point that the person could not keep their eyes open.

Another key component is the irritant resin capsaicin. Sensory nerves are activated by contact with this resin, causing pain resulting in a sensation described as similar to touching a flame. The pain is said to be much more intense than that of tear gas or other law enforcement chemical agents. When a large amount of irritant fluid is absorbed into the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and throat it causes an intense burning sensation that can cause immediate loss of vision. In some cases, even after just a second or two, people have been blinded as a result.

The spray has been reformulated to prevent people from being able to ingest it, but should still have all the same toxic effects as before. Capsaicin has been known to be harmful to human health. The main concern is that, if consumed in large enough amounts, it can be fatal. It is used in small amounts in some commercially produced pepper sprays, but the amount is not enough to make it immediately fatal if ingested. However, the amount of capsaicin necessary for capsicum poisoning is less than 1mg per kilogram of body weight, which would require over 100 times the amount contained in "regular" pepper sprays.

Indications And Uses Of Pepper Spray

Pepper spray is a chemical agent, designed to be used as a non-lethal method of personal defense against attackers. It works by irritating the eyes, lungs, and skin of an attacker, causing immediate discomfort which often leads to incapacitation. It can be spread through the eyes and mucus membranes for this purpose.

Pepper spray acts by causing a burning sensation in the eyes, nose, and throat while causing pain to an attacker. It is a lachrymator agent. Lachrymators can have a sudden, marked physical effect when they come in contact with mucous membranes, such as the eyes or nasal membranes; they also reduce visibility by epinephrine-induced tearing of the eyes. The active ingredient in this is capsaicin, which is the chemical that makes peppers hot. It is usually deployed as a gas, although it is also available in liquid and dry powder forms.

The spray has also been used for other purposes than self defense, such as catching animal predators and scaring off birds. It works best if assailants are taken by surprise; it ought to be used at the first sign of danger. A pepper spray container should be carried in the purse, briefcase, backpack, glove compartment, or some other place accessible to the user while not in use. A small hand-held spray gun is preferred for the ordinary citizen; the more powerful formulations are used by law enforcement officers.

Harmful Effects Of Pepper Spray

The proliferation of pepper spray as a personal and home defense choice is alarming and has caused wide-reaching and harmful effects. It is derived from cayenne peppers — a type of plant which belongs to the nightshade family, often found growing in climate zones most favorable to peppers. These peppers contain capsaicinoids, which are alkaline chemicals that irritate our mucous membranes and generate pain signals to the brain where they are interpreted as heat or burning sensations. It is the same feeling as touching a hot stove or eating a very spicy food.

In hot peppers, capsaicinoids are contained in special cells called “plumose papillae." These papillae are found mainly on the top of the pepper, where they collect solar energy which is required for photosynthesis. Capsaicinoids also protect hot peppers from fungi, insects and other pests. This chili pepper extract has been used as an insecticide for over 100 years. It is an extremely effective pesticide, and remains the only substance known to be lethal to bed bugs, fire ants and even head lice. Pepper spray can also be used in many situations as a weapon or nonlethal incapacitating agent. The main active ingredient is oleoresin capsicum (OC), which is a mixture of cayenne pepper and other ingredients such as alcohols and oils.

Location: United States

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