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Restrict use of riot-control chemicals

Tear gas and pepper spray put lives at risk. Examine their effects and regulate their deployment, urges Dan Kaszeta.
  1. Dan Kaszeta

    1. Dan Kaszeta is an independent consultant on chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence, and founder and managing director of Strongpoint Security in London. He has worked for the US Army and the Department of Defense, has advised the White House and is writing a book on the history of nerve agents.

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Police fire tear gas to clear pro-Democracy protesters in Hong Kong

Police fire tear gas to clear protesters during a demonstration in Hong Kong in August 2019. Credit: Anthony Kwan/Getty

In the past few months, tear gas and pepper spray have been deployed to break up street protests in Hong Kong, Gaza, Paris and on the US–Mexico border. Police forces use these riot-control chemicals to clear crowds or to stop fighting. In theory, exposure should be minimal — a group should disperse within minutes to avoid the gas.

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Nature 573, 27-29 (2019)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-019-02594-5

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