The Science of Tear Gas

There’s a lot of confusion about tear gases-what they are, what they do, and whether they can cause long-term harm. Here's what we know.
Hosted by: Michael Aranda
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Tear Gases
doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-48...
doi.org/10.1002/jat.767
doi.org/10.1136/jramc-2013-00...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27391...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11901...
doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-800...
doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-386...
doi.org/10.1155/2014/963638
doi.org/10.1080/08958378.2018...
doi.org/10.1136/bmj.b2283
doi.org/10.17226/18707
TRP channels
doi.org/10.1146/annurev-cellb...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22233...
Electrophilic Agents
doi.org/10.1016/j.taap.2008.0...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15071...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19036...
doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120201397
doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-386...
doi.org/10.1080/00039896.1963...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12668...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28424...
Capsaicinoids
doi.org/10.1520/JFS14999J
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28044...
doi.org/10.1021/np9600816
History of Tear Gases
doi.org/10.2307/3103718
doi.org/10.5038/1944-0472.5.4.1
doi.org/10.3764/aja.115.1.0069
Government/Military Documents
www.opcw.org/chemical-weapons...
www.opcw.org/sites/default/fi...
ihl-databases.icrc.org/custom... ke.army.mil/bordeninstitute/p...
ac.home.xs4all.nl/crowdcontro...
www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/g...
www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/g...
npic.orst.edu/factsheets/archi...
archive.epa.gov/pesticides/re...
emergency.cdc.gov/agent/riotc...
Other Coverage
doi.org/10.1038/d41586-019-02...
core.ac.uk/reader/287490352
www.chemistryworld.com/podcas...
www.independent.co.uk/news/sc...
www.newyorker.com/tech/annals...
Image Sources:
bit.ly/2XMyivB
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
bit.ly/3icvr6J
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
www.eurekalert.org/multimedia...
bit.ly/2PwoJfv
bit.ly/3kpBG9k
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
www.flickr.com/photos/diverse...
bit.ly/2C6ehsc

[@bevinboulder5039]

I'm now even more astounded by that Navy veteran in Portland who took pepper spray right to the face and just stood there.

[@jeff86ing]

People have varying reactions to it, from severe to no reaction.

[@simicslaw6465]

It takes like 30 seconds to really hit in. That video was probably cut right before he started screaming in pain.

[@TheBusyJane]

He knew it might happen and he was mentally prepared. When you have that kind of resolve, some people can stand up to anything. It's adrenalin. If they shot him, he would have stood there. He wasn't unaffected. There's video of him after where you see the effect.

[@michaelmurphy19]

@@simicslaw6465 no it doesn't lol

[@michaelmurphy19]

People have varying degrees of reactions to it. I've seen people completely unaffected and I've also seen people drop to their knees and all but give up in life. He may be part of the .1% (I think that's the number, it's been a long time since I took the class) or so that's naturally immune

[@michaelmcchesney6645]

I used to be a high school teacher. One afternoon, a student decided to play a prank by releasing pepper spray in a hallway. Most of the students (and teachers) exposed found it unpleasant. Well actually I am sure everyone did. But we ended up needing to call an ambulance for one girl who experienced a serious asthma attack as a result of exposure. She was treated at the hospital and released. She didn't think the prank was very funny. I don't recall the prankster being caught unfortunately.

[@millenial90]

As someone with asthma, this is horrifying but not surprising to me 😞 And an asthma attack is a scary enough experience as it is...

[@coderainbow2581]

In 6th grade my sisters class was pepper sprayed by an actual idiot not even kidding I have never met anyone just as dumb and ditzy as her and my sister was right next to the person she pepper sprayed as a joke and was coughing for 3 days straight after same with a lot of ppl in her class and there was like 4 ppl with asthma in the class and they had to go home

[@ZedJay23]

Michael McChesney that’s terrifying

[@Aztex_]

That’s weird, same thing happened at my school, except the kid sprayed it in the vents and sent 2 people to the hospital bc of asthma

[@natashuukanami5942]

Thats pretty funny But common pepperspray, could have used domething ele

[@onetallpheeesh]

I really appreciate hearing Scientists and Millitary Personnel discuss this instead of politicians.

[@goyoelburro]

What really disturbs me is that it is banned from war but we use it against our own citizens. It's pretty hard to find a way to defend that, whether you are a scientist or a politician.

[@daddyplankton5855]

@@goyoelburro i say use it if you die from it thats karma its only used when sh** hits the fan and people are breaking laws

[@cralixthegameking4408]

Leafblowers work too lul

[@jeff86ing]

@@goyoelburro It's pretty hard to defend when you don't have all the information. Like why it's banned, or that it's not banned under all circumstances.

[@drenrin2120]

@@daddyplankton5855 Oh wow, okay. So actual authoritarianism? As long as the authority deems necessary, who cares if people are injured or die? The authority deemed it necessary and authority is not to be questioned, ever. They must have deserved it because the authority said they did. Is that what you believe?

[@2008tfe]

SciShow is the best at explaining items that are controversial and keeping everyone informed. You all rock 🤘

[@anthonydeltoro-]

I concur

[@spectrum8966]

@@AEON. chill. If people want to risk their personal safety to peacefully protest legal murder than that's their prerogative to do so. It's a free country. Or at least it's supposed to be.

[@darlinghopelessromantic]

Nicholas Brown alright, no need to yell, and no need for the language.

[@Dr.Strangelewd]

@@spectrum8966 Peacefully burn cars and loot stores, eh?

[@spectrum8966]

@@Dr.Strangelewd very few people are doing that

[@SanctuaryReintegrate]

I've been CS'd before. It hits you instantly and absolutely debilitates you. It's extremely painful. But as soon as you escape the gas, it only takes a few minutes to fully recover. Fun stuff.

[@magisterrleth3129]

Well then, it worked as intended.

[@jaymzx0]

I caught a stray dilute cloud of CS while walking to my bus stop during the WTO riots in Seattle many years ago. It wasn't enough to cause pain, but all of a sudden I turned into a walking snot and tear factory. It was an interesting experience.

[@harrypadarri6349]

Well, it depends. I once run into a rioting riot control unit. They used pepper spray, the hardcore stuff. It’s an instant knockout and lasts very long. Basically imagine habanero juice as contact lens fluid.

[@carschmn]

Harry Padarri I have taken out my contacts after cutting haberneros. Not a good time.

[@Willam_J]

No means no, dude! 😂

[@hewhohasnoidentity4377]

I recall finding a pepper spray canister on the ground while walking home from middle school. I picked it up and sprayed it into the nearby desert until it was empty and then went to the restroom when I got home. I learned quickly not to do that again. I also experienced CS gas in basic training. Yes, the mask works, but I would rather just not be around the stuff.

[@VyvienneEaux]

I think you stumbled upon a spot where someone was successfully abducted!

[@VestraPater]

This is why they started calling those methods (tear gas, rubber bullets, tasers, etc...) "less than lethal".

[@Just_A_Dude]

I think you mean "Less lethal." It _was_ "less than lethal," then they realized the potential complications.

[@AniBAretz]

Add sound cannons to the list. The power of sound waves (pressure waves, really) is under-appreciated. When a high speed bullet passes through brain tissue, its damage isn't limited to what the bullet physically touches but to the wide area of tissue microscopically ripped by hugely powerful sound/pressure waves. Same for concussions caused by explosions. A sound cannon spreads the tissue injury to the delicate gut, to endocrine glands, and to all other parts of the body, to degrees that vary with specific wave length and tissue properties (i.e., bone verses blood).

[@alnabulsi313]

​@@AniBAretz Absolutely correct- same with LRADs

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

"Like asthma, or women or kids" Yeah, I know that part of the video is unintentional, but it was still hilarious

[@pathologicalfrolic8641]

Are you the new Justin Y or something

[@CaseyJSullivan]

This is very strange to listen to as in the late 1990s/ early 2000s I was in the military and did training (both with a gas mask and without a gas mask) with CS gas in a small hut (the gas was so thick it was very difficult to even see 5 feet in front of me...a few of us were not affected very much (other than pain and tears), but most of the people in the room had quite a violent reaction...I do not envy anyone who gets gassed with CS gas.

[@uniwasamistake6334]

My drill instructor said about a 1000 in 1 has immunity to CS gas.

[@kumabjorn7992]

Name, rank, social and soldiers creed. That was my cs training in bct

[@DoctaOsiris]

@Casey Sullivan Can you imagine having it directly sprayed in your face? It's happened to me once and I swear I'd have loved to have been able to have such low contact as one of those huts, I've seen those tests, but unfortunately CS gas being directly sprayed in your eyes 👀 by heavy-handed police with aggression issues who reach for their gas before even finding out who you are or even attempt talking to you is a completely different matter, that stuff needs to be banned especially in the hands of police who just love to have an excuse to abuse their position of "power" 🤣

[@kumabjorn7992]

@@DoctaOsiris what is the replacement then? Should they just start beating the rioters with shields and batons for not moving? Oh wait you guys complained about that too. Tasers? Nah that's being banned as a lethal/nonlethal weapon. Ah, lets do the same thing the rioters are doing. Throwing explosives, rocks and other weapons into the crowd and shining powerful lasers into the eyes of the crowd. Listen, don't want to get sprayed in the face? Don't be a meat shield for the extremists domestic terrorists pissing off the cops.

[@michaelmurphy19]

@@DoctaOsiris you're right God forbid they get a little bit of pain for being unruly terrorists. Guess they just need to be shot instead? that's how stupid you sound. Stfu

[@maiaemmett2399]

Yet another vet in this comment section but yeah I've both been exposed to CS gas in boot camp and OC spray during a school later in my stint in the navy. Thing about OC spray is that it's very sticky compared CS gas. When you're exposed to CS gas removing yourself from the effected area will reduce your symptoms fairly quickly. After spending a few minutes outside the gas chamber I was left with mild stinging and irritation and probably the clearest nasal passage I've ever had in my entire life (and a uniform covered in boogers). OC spray sticks for days and when you try washign it off with water you experience a "reflash" where it reactivates and you get to experience what feels like bobbing for french fries all over again. You also experience what feels like sand in your eye on top of your face being on fire and my instructor was saying, after the fact, that it's the oc crystals scratching your cornea slightly so yeah that was fun. Personally I condemn the often use of these chemicals by police, especially during otherwise peaceful protests.

[@evilsharkey8954]

It seems like a lot of police departments have decided that “less than lethal” means they can use them as often as they want.

[@maiaemmett2399]

@@evilsharkey8954 I mean they also love using rubber bullets and other "low lethal" weapons frequently even though that yeah they do in fact kill and maim people.

[@cyb3ar897]

@@maiaemmett2399 Rubber bullets are horrible. They may not cause penetration damage like a metal bullet, but the bludgeoning and impact damage they cause is absolutely awful. "Non-lethal." What a joke.

[@Willam_J]

Maia Emmett - Actually, those “crystals” are silica particles. They can penetrate the skin, causing subsequent effects, when water is applied. Also, the reason that pepper spray is more “sticky”, is because a large percentage of pepper sprays are a gel. This has two benefits: 1. It comes out in a stream, allowing for better aiming. 2. Because it’s a stream of gel, there’s less chance that the person spraying will be effected. When spraying an aerosol tear gas, such as CS, you have to be aware of which way the wind is blowing. You can inadvertently inhale some and have no chance of defending yourself, or running away.

[@Reelix]

How would you recommend restraining a group of people in a place they're not allowed to be, and who would inflict bodily harm on you if you came near? I've often found that "peaceful protests" is often used a defense for rioting and looting under the guise of "But we didn't attack anyone"

[@LeatherNeck1833]

In my career, I had been through NBC training and recertification at least a dozen times. I can say that by the third time it was all a joke. It burned, you teared up, and you snotted uncontrollably but it was no big deal. That said, I still despise the smell of CS gas; and no, it doesn't smell at all peppery. It smells like burnt synthetics.

[@bjs301]

My uncle was a professor at Berkeley, and two of his daughters got caught in the riots in the 1960's. They got "maced'", and had to be hospitalized. It even burned their skin. Nasty stuff.

[@monkeyplayer1]

Burned their skin? I’ve gotten oc on me during training and didn’t get it all off for hours and didn’t get burned. It doesn’t burn you it makes your skin feel burnt. Maybe it was poorly manufactured. It doesn’t do that anymore with stricter and better manufacturing

[@flyinghead1147]

@@monkeyplayer1 you have 5 types. all have different thing but are similar, few can burn skin. If too much of tear gas cans are thrown in the crowd at once all can burn skin.

[@ThePeachtree69]

Someone with ties to Berkeley getting caught in a riot. Shocker.

[@bjs301]

@@monkeyplayer1 I've been exposed to OC too, and was exposed to some of the older stuff in the early 1970's. The formulas are different. Here's a CDC fact sheet, which mentions skin burns as an effect: emergency.cdc.gov/agent/riotcontrol/factsheet.asp. The burning and other toxic effects is one of the reasons formulas have been changed.

[@ismaaeel8957]

could've just said your cousins

[@iwilltrytotry]

i hate when i have conditions like women and children.

[@aleesabarker8352]

Marko Jotic no, under the right situations it can change

[@nelsonjv1]

😂

[@mushchlowastaken]

@@aleesabarker8352 Can confirm. Unfortunately, I'm a victim of midlife womanhood. Still trying to cope 🙏

[@Rubrickety]

Children are more of a side effect.

[@KarlSimpsonGoogle]

@Marko Jotic apparently not now days 🤣

[@SagaciousDjinn]

Fun fact, if you put hot sauce in your eyes, your eyes won't hurt from tear gas, because they'll already hurt from the hot sauce.

[@8b8b8b]

Fun fact, if you кill yourself, you can not be killed

[@jamessonas5574]

Neat I’ll have to go try that

[@alexisk.nielson9985]

LIFE HACKS

[@juanvaldivia8001]

what a striking fact... will consider using this technique

[@deminybs]

Hey they deleted my comment because I said "ahh good ol gas chamber in boot camp" ??

[@berryberrykixx]

I have a friend in Portland who got herself caught up in these protests vs. police/militia/whatever. Someone yelled at her to get out of the way when an officer threw teargas her way, but she didn't hear it in time so it went off in her face. Once she gets back on her feet she'll be looking for a lawyer because she was wearing contacts that day, and before she could get herself out of that mess and to safety, and eventually to the hospital, both of her contacts had melted onto her corneas. They were able to remove the right side without much damage, but she won't have vision ever again on the left.

[@RosheenQuynh]

Oh my gosh, that is awful... 😭

[@Itsthefry69]

Lol, glad. You do not get caught in a protest and hope she doesn’t win.

[@RosheenQuynh]

@@Itsthefry69 Wait who do you hope not to win?

[@FabFunty]

EDITED VERSION : _because of my misunderstanding of "melting" , just wanted call out for a fact check_ They don't melt from heat or dissolve to anything harmful.A little google search alone for fact checking. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4rYlXmXo9V5bbM , Video : "VERIFY: Can tear gas cause blindness if you wear contact lenses?" Guy interviewed : uwaterloo.ca/optometry-vision-science/people-profiles/lyndon-jones _don't you think they would be aware of this_ ? Wouldn't there be 100s of cases and it never happened before ?

[@user-jp7tw3sd3x]

@@FabFunty, The point here is that they didn't melt from heat, but by a chemical reaction with the ingredients in the "tear gas". So the claim is that the used "tear gas" is dangerous to people with contact lenses. I think she has quite reasonable claim.

[@jbkjbk1999]

It's probably worthwhile to note that, while there's a lot of uncertainty around tear gas, the smoke munitions used in crowd control are absolutely known to be very carcinogenic. Also, everything talked about in this video doesn't even consider the fact that a lot of the tear gas used in the US in the last few months has been out of date. There's been gas cans fired that are older than the people they're fired at.

[@zedmercury2605]

So would the age make them less potent? Or would the old type of gas they use be more potent? I have to know.

[@theshamanite]

@@zedmercury2605 There's a concern over the possibility of the chemicals changing over time. Cyanide gas was speculated to be a product of aging tear gas.

[@zedmercury2605]

@@theshamanite ah ok, that's good to know, thanks for the clarification

[@adama1294]

Absolutely certain it is a carcinogen? Then you know the scientific study about it? Would be good reading if it actually exists.

[@light-master]

I'm immune to whichever tear gas they train you with in the Navy (CS), and I have asthma. Great way to piss off the recruits with you when they bawl up and you're unaffected. Edit: to anyone who says something about the wildly different amounts of CS that you can be exposed to in those chambers, they cracked open 3 tablets of the stuff under my face, and I still kept reciting the Sailor's Creed like it was a nice summer day.

[@Hokuhikene]

So are you Cptn. Teargas now and fight crime with that power?

[@gradesam6306]

@@Hokuhikene Blasting criminals with wrist mounted tear gas sprayer, that's pretty neat.

[@captainhoratiobungleiii7147]

@William B, how are you with chillies?

[@QuestionEverythingButWHY]

“Evil begins when you begin to treat people as things.” ― Terry Pratchett

[@g.m.2427]

Always upvotes for sir Pterry

[@SolarScion]

I would have written "sentients" in place of people, but yes. Evil abounds when good people do, or can do, nothing.

[@Kyle-gw6qp]

@@SolarScion who else is sentient?

[@Reelix]

When the people in question are attempting to kill others, treating them as sub-human is appropriate.

[@HotPinkst17]

@@Kyle-gw6qp Cetaceans, dolphins, and elephants have been proven to have self awareness and language. If people are racist against other people you can imagine how difficult these beings having their rights respected is.

[@festolfiretruck4810]

Oh boy, this comment section is going to be spicy.

[@tatianatub]

not as spicy as the streets of portland

[@marzappel8858]

Spicy as pepper bullets

[@Accordian]

Spicier than my grandmas chicken

[@DrakusLuthos]

Spicy like OC gas.

[@Accordian]

Tell people to like my comment

[@hotdrippyglass]

Thanks for doing this particular subject at this particular time.

[@jasper3706]

Oh no the comments section is gonna be bad! *The comments section: Basically just a whole lot of soldiers* ... I stand corrected

[@lnplum]

The replies are the boot licking you'd expect tho.

[@SWtaervdesn]

Either you experience it through a protest or through enlisting in service to your nation. Needn't know exactly what for, only that it is to the military. I dare you to admit you've experienced it thorugh a protest. Individuals may know but won't dare embarass themselves by divulging that information of where from. Upon consuming this video of Tear Gas, is it shameful to recount your own experiences with regard to it? That shame exists only to you.

[@SWtaervdesn]

@@lnplum Disrespect not the users in the comment section. DO so as least as possible if you can help yourself. Is there a thought the military types deserve not our respect? Type to me

[@a-pileof-owls8744]

@@SWtaervdesn the hell why like yoda type do you

[@a-pileof-owls8744]

@@SWtaervdesn this is internet, not an useless essay contest and nobody is ashamed of protesting, lol

[@christopheb9221]

kinda like how drug trials have only healthy people not taking any other meds yet the people that will end up taking the meds are prob not in good health and on other meds.

[@hilkmeister1382]

Or how the avg weight stuff is based on those in poverty

[@dennissantiago3083]

It is not the same

[@evilsharkey8954]

That’s the safety trials. Drugs are given to people with the condition the drug is intended for in later phases.

[@Mathieu_Matheow_Benoit]

As a ex-military member that have been gassed at least once a year, i can smell that video 😅😆

[@marzuqahmed218]

What military?

[@Fiirow1]

Aye... That 1 week CBRN course they keep throwing at us once a year... Sgt: "Ready for chamber on monday?" Me: "Unfortunately I'm on last minute guard duty that day" Sgt: "Don't worry, you can join 2nd platoon on wednesday" Me: "Oh I'm guard duty the whole week" Sgt: ... Me: "See you next week!"

[@XhydrargyrumX]

As a person that's often in protests and has been gassed every month for at least 5 years i can also smell this 😆

[@mrpirate3470]

The moment some divver flaps their nbc suit after the CS chamber and re-gasses a dorm room :)

[@Mathieu_Matheow_Benoit]

@@marzuqahmed218 Canadian

[@graff5138]

The soldier who survived pepper spray and mustered Gas is a truly SEASONED soldier

[@howeyyadoing9070]

What about saltpeter?

[@My_initials_are_O.G.cuz_I_am]

At least he wasn't _pepper_ sprayed, though he certainly was _a-salt-ed,_ and his day was surely too _spicy_ for his comfort. ... I... I'll go _curry_ out my pun duty somewhere else, before some pun-hater gets a condimental breakdown, bye.

[@squeaky2384]

Olaf Gołąb aren’t you supposed to be in Arendelle

[@My_initials_are_O.G.cuz_I_am]

@@squeaky2384 That was one of the worst name jokes I've heard of, and I've heard a lot. Maybe not _olaf them,_ can't tell _ex-zach-ly_ how many but quite a few. Either way _may_ your day be nice, I'm _dan_ with this thread for today, bye.

[@janinabaezakottirsch9546]

The use of tear gas is incredibly common in Chile, where I'm from.It's often (everyday) used to repress mostly peaceful and sometimes violent protesters. Just in the last few months several people have been killed because of them. Hundreds severely burned and injured. Police officers have even fired dozens of canisters into hospitals, kindergartens, schools and private homes just to "control" peaceful protests. I've been exposed to them in numerous occasions, once I was even hit by one. They are nasty nasty things that should be forbidden.

[@deandre1988]

So should rioting and crime. Oh wait, those things still happen. So no, we need non-deadly ways of restraining or dissuading people. Regulations are all that’s required. Democracy, functional that is, is the solution

[@israellai]

@@deandre1988 easier said than done. Democracy isn't a Lego set you can just build one. Our world is broken.

[@josephburchanowski4636]

I have heard from people that Chile's tear gas is far more nasty than the US's tear gas. I wonder if it is a case of different chemicals, or merely different concentrations?

[@manguy01]

It's also used every day in Hong Kong.

[@janinabaezakottirsch9546]

@@josephburchanowski4636 I think it's both. Different concentrations can be felt when they mix the tear gas with the water from the water cannon they also use. On the other hand, since the big protests started it seems that they are using different brands of tear gas with higher concentrations (and expired gas as well). The gases that are used today are, in my opinion, more potent than the ones used a few months ago. Now you'll see people vomiting from the gas. That didn't used to happen before.

[@KY_CPA]

Talk about a timely subject! Glad you all are providing the science background of this!!

[@AsheOdinson]

Thank you for always being so informative, SciShow.

[@johnlagrone5041]

Worked in a prison and had to be sprayed and gas, spray burns but CS Gas seems like it sucks the air from you and stings like fiberglass... on fire all over.

[@zeratulthedark2985]

I much preferred CS to OC or pava. Though I did sit in a cell searching it once after about 4 ounces of Top Cop was dumped on a guy.

[@Accultus]

I've been 'gassed' a few times by OC foam. It's definitely unpleasant. Imagine washing out your mouth, nose and eyes with sriracha sauce. Your eyes will close involuntarily and won't open unless held open with your hands. You'll cough uncontrollably (like if you inhaled black pepper) and you may vomit from all the coughing. Effects lasted for about 30 minutes after the foam was rinsed off. Delicate areas, like the neck and underarms, were inflamed for a few hours.

[@albionnika]

5:02 Yeah women, kids and asthma are the worst conditions.

[@Rashelle-zb4kq]

As a woman who has asthma, I confirm. I’ve also been a kid before, do not recommend.

[@tylert.555]

shoved to the right? huh

[@oldcowbb]

we got some edgy right kid here

[@mongmanmarkyt2897]

@shoved to the right? You numbnuts it's because of biologocal makeups and different proteins found in women in children in different amounts (such as hgh for children)

[@hiccuphufflepuff176]

Punctuation: it matters.

[@semaj_5022]

Thank you guys so much for this video.

[@dirm12]

One of the most socially helpful videos this channel has ever made.

[@gammathescientist2340]

I’ve come to realize that most if not all ways of incapacitating humans caries some sort of risk to it. There are too many connected mechanisms in the body to be sure affecting one of them is safe

[@blahsomethingclever]

There are safe ways, but most involve drones with remote sensing requirements to monitor health as they are applying a custom stimuli. Tiny drones firing micro injectors anyone? Although there is one safeish general way to do it through chemical means, which is an ultra fine powdered drug that causes complete but temporary vision loss. The stuff has a huge therapeutic window with just some quirky side effects, the receptors targeted are fairly unique to the eye. But it's not very stable, expensive as heck and takes minutes to act. It was found to be very dangerous actually as those only slightly exposed had their vision darken without noticing and then had all sorts of accidents. Never mind.

[@j4r3dr3y]

This was quite interesting of an experience in basic training.

[@marjcabal5510]

Nice explanation. Thanks

[@Niekard]

Low-key protecting and informing protesters? I love you guys.

[@nerd_nato564]

Look, we aren't saying anything, but if any aspiring unrestful citizens use this information, it would be a real shame...

[@RealUlrichLeland]

My aunty works in a university in Hong Kong and they had to close because the tear gas had completely contaminated the campus and needed to be chemically cleaned. It's crazy chemical weapons are allowed to be used on the public

[@DanielSolis]

Thanks for this. It's nice to get clear factual information.

[@kwhite4302]

What a great video y'all, thank you.

[@gabrieltrahe8086]

Thank you for helping me learn more about stuff

[@TheTwick]

Thank you, Michael. Very interesting.

[@lolad-v6427]

I never been exposed to tear gas, but I got pepper sprayed once, it feels like someone set you on fire, not cool.

[@isaiahhiggins]

Literally

[@MrPacman64]

Ofc its not cool. That's the point

[@karebu2]

OMG I haven’t seen this channel in a year. You’ve grown!!

[@shujunhan8294]

thanks a lot for your sharing

[@luissantiago5163]

Oh nice. Science Time!

[@johnyoung4441]

Science time

[@elizabethhannah4332]

Science time

[@THernane]

If anything I would like to add that it is very letal as I've reports of people choke to death or die of heart related problems in riots due to tear gas and pepper spray abuse by the police.

[@jeff86ing]

Links or it didn't happen.

[@THernane]

@@jeff86ing here you go: noticias.r7.com/rio-de-janeiro/manifestante-do-rio-morre-por-complicacoes-pulmonares-apos-inalar-gas-lacrimogeneo-02082013

[@THernane]

@@jeff86ing exame.com/mundo/palestino-morre-por-inalar-gas-lacrimogeneo-em-casa/

[@THernane]

@@jeff86ing www.jcnet.com.br/noticias/nacional/2012/04/339707-homem-morre-apos-ser-contido-com-spray-de-pimenta-em-guariba.html

[@THernane]

@@otdj3794 Read again and you'll spot "police abuse" in my phrase.

[@nothingtoseeherefolks6911]

All I knew before is that it hurts and to *stay away.* Now I know so much more!

[@glazedshades4692]

Just got gassed today as part of NBC training. Was wondering what the science behind it all was. Thank you!

[@xnnui]

The Oxford Comma strikes again!

[@twistedmezelf]

Underapreciated comment right here

[@medinamojo]

Well articulated and explained! Good Job!!!

[@user-kw7gv4fj8x]

There’s people over here in Hong Kong who have gotten permanant conditions because of tear gas. They constantly have liquids leaking out of their skin.

[@christiangibson1867]

I'll tell you, I wouldn't want to get get hit by whatever the hell the Chinese government is using. I bet it's just liquid capsaicin with like, some drain cleaner for good measure.

[@user-kw7gv4fj8x]

Christian Gibson well it was either that or we sit there till the chinese government completely takes over our government. They were storming universities with the tear gas. They took over the government anyways. They’ve just disqualified the democratic representatives that were trying to get into the election. You people in the west better take really good f*king care of your democracies cause this is what happens when you don’t have one.

[@MeldinX2]

@@user-kw7gv4fj8x Kinda felt like China also took advantage of the Corona chaos to move on Hong kong while the rest of the world where too busy to care.

[@mattjohnston2]

I came here to discuss my experience years ago in basic training...looks like it's been covered extensively!

[@Zeyev]

I used capsaicin spray to slow down a dog that was attacking me when I carried mail. I don't know if the postal service still uses it. And, like others have noted, I was exposed to some sort of tear gas when I was in basic training in the US Army in 1970. Our drill instructors were more heavily affected since, even though they were wearing protective gear, they had to stay in the building for a long time while we were in and out, pausing only long enough to take off our mask and speak.

[@the7311]

I don’t need to be in a riot to feel the stinging pain of burning chilies. As a Mexican I can feel that pain right at home.

[@carlosg2677]

No where near the same level

[@Articulate99]

Always interesting.

[@adamschultz7127]

Am I out of bounds to expect this level of confidence and know-how when politicians speak? Like, maybe if I wasn't WATCHING them READ the prompter, I might feel more confident in what they're saying. I seriously have no idea how you guys recite that script, sometimes it gets more complicated than tax forms. Keep up the amazing work all, your passion and pursuit of knowledge inspires a whole generation.

[@raingram]

They almost certainly use a teleprompter.

[@brink2253]

In a time that everyone seems to be polarized and political, SciShow keeps it informative and nonpolitical.

[@squid1524]

"Hey, this is a war crime, but feel free to use it on your own citizens."

[@larsbrown9322]

High power lasers aren't war crimes, although they can blind you for the rest of your life. Dosent stop the rioters from using them.

[@VariantAEC]

Tear gas isn't the type of war crime worthy chemical agent you want it to be. That's just too bad for your comment and even worse for you because it makes you like an idiot.

[@josephburchanowski4636]

Well using lethal weapons (lead bullets and high explosive bombs) against enemy combatants while they are under the effect of tear gas, would be quite cruel. In addition, if your job was to defend that ground with your life, you'll probably try sticking it out in such terrible conditions. . Why use Tear gas on riots? Specifically because dispersing the riot without killing them, is the entire point of riot control. Like what would you rather the police use to disperse a riot? Copious rubber bullets, batons, and water cannons?

[@larsbrown9322]

@@josephburchanowski4636 give the rioters a social worker and therapist. They dont need to be held accountable they need a hug.

[@josephburchanowski4636]

@@larsbrown9322 "High power lasers aren't war crimes," Don't you mean "are"? As purposely using lasers to blind your enemies is outlawed by the Geneva convention since 1998.

[@agostres]

I love scishow. Thank you

[@karlbergen6826]

I grew up in Los Angeles where the smog was a very bad lachrymator. When I worked with chemicals my sensitivity to lachrymatory chemicals was reduced.

[@lh3540]

KZbin is going to exist as a time stamped record of our slow slide into ruin.

[@useodyseeorbitchute9450]

Well, I hope, that in would be one day described by Internet Historian on one of new platforms.

[@metamemes8316]

Nice video

[@kingsleyikenna7794]

Thanks Mike. You're doing well.

[@PheonixFire92946]

Me: Clicks on video about tear gas. KZbin: Plays ad for AirWick. Me: Sounds about right. Lol

[@marisanya]

Overall CS is probably MUCH safer than OC in most contexts.

[@DoctorProph3t]

Lets test your theory...

[@JoseMartinez-df2db]

We will test it on you and your children.

[@misterpomelo5163]

Any sources/evidence?

[@p4u168]

I like cs:co

[@SonOfTheDawn515]

I've been in CS and hit by OC. I'll take CS gas over OC any day (allergic to capsaicin).

[@theincarnationofboredom207]

And that explains why they shouldn't use tear gasses. What if someone's allergic? Maybe even severely allergic, and ends up dying? Don't mean to get controversial but I just don't get how tear gas can be illegal to use on enemy soldiers but legal to use on your own people.

[@squeaky2384]

The incarnation of boredom pathetic that it’s controversial to day that firing chemical weapons at citizens of your own country is wrong

[@manguy01]

Dear God. The only thing I can imagine worse than that is burning poison ivy fumes.

[@manguy01]

@@theincarnationofboredom207 If someone's allergic to tear gas, then what the hell are they doing in a riot? That's like robbing a woman when you're allergic to mace. Morality aside, you're just asking for natural selection to take ya.

[@theincarnationofboredom207]

@@manguy01 idk about you but I probably wouldn't know I'm allergic until I get tear gassed. I don't have some superpower to be like "oh hey, I'm allergic to this thing I've never been exposed to and couldn't possibly know I'm allergic to" Also by your logic, why should women wear good looking clothes while going to a bar? They're just asking to get sexually harassed, aren't they? They should just not wear good clothes, or not go to bars. The problem isn't the person going to a riot, the problem is the people using the tear gas in the first place. Just like the problem isn't women wearing nice clothing, the problem is the men going after them. If someone had seasonal allergies, you wouldn't just tell them to not go outside. That wouldn't solve their problem. If someone had an insect infestation, you wouldn't just tell them to move. The problem isn't the person living there, the problem is the insects. The problem is the people using chemical weapons which could potentially be dangerous against their own people, not the people going to places where they may use these weapons.

[@noelhutchins7366]

Tear gassed: apply Vicks-vapo-rub affected areas, chew mint-gum or Altoids to relieve mouth pain, and anywhere affected away from the face apply Icy-Gel muscle-rub to allow mint to serve as counter-agent to the nerve-pain; and Cream-cheese is the best tear gas eye ointment for eyelids and it works longer than milk when used for mouth pain from spice.

[@NvrchFotia]

You could almost say it burns your eyes like *fire*

[@ElicBehexan]

Wow, glad I've never had an exposure. If I had been exposed to tear gas with capsaicin in it, I would be in trouble. Not as much trouble as my friend who is severely allergic to nightshades (capsaicin is a member of the nightshade family.) I'm allergic to it, but not like she is. I once tried that lotion for pain with it, despite trying to wash that off, I was in agony for HOURS. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jalape%C3%B1o not sure it is going to work with the funny letters in it, but - yes - capsaicin is from a plant, the jalapeno is the best known one.

[@evilsharkey8954]

I was waiting for someone to bring up allergic reactions. I’m surprised they weren’t discussed in the video.

[@ElicBehexan]

@@evilsharkey8954 me too

[@Xanthelei]

@@evilsharkey8954 I think it comes down to sheer lack of information on it. Like, we know such things exist, but in terms of how people with them react to tear gasses it would be incredibly unethical to test in a controlled way, and rare enough that unless it starts being used widely ( *cough* ) AND documented/reported well enough for researchers to compile later, we just won't have a solid way to even know much in the first place. It probably would have been worth a mention, but I don't think they could've really done anything with it besides going "By the way, some people are allergic to capsaicin, so that's a thing."

[@Marsh_Manta]

I Clicked onto this IMMEDIATELY. Dangerous gas chemicals are fun to learn about

[@viperfang5291]

True

[@F_lippy]

It's just spicy air

[@sassyb58]

"Fuuun..." said sarcastically

[@magisterrleth3129]

@@sassyb58 You're pretty cool. Said sarcastically.

[@jeanjun8425]

You've been placed on a watchlist

[@FrostNightVideoProductions]

Good timing for this video. I wish it could have been earlier though

[@corriban]

4:48 "...from a research standpoint, there may be some potential blind spots here." Heh. Nice one Mike.

[@kalexambing2507]

Tear Gas: Exists United Nations: Declares it’s use a war crime United States: Uses it on its own citizens

[@DownWithBureaucracy]

That's actually an interesting topic of discussion. See, in war you're actively trying to kill each other and use of chemical weapons is considered inhumane because you would make military members into essentially "non-combatants" as they are incapacitated. That would mean you could kill them when they can't fight back, kind of like hoe killing someone who has surrendered or been seriously wounded is illegal. Against civilian groups declared hostile (riots, or what the government labels as violent and unlawful gatherings), there is (allegedly) no intent to kill them but instead the goal is to disperse the crowd and/or arrest people. To summarize: in war they would be mowing down an enemy that could no longer fight back, in riots they would be removing the crowd's ability to continue being violent. The difference lies in the purpose, to destroy or to remove their ability to destroy

[@DownWithBureaucracy]

Disclaimer: I'm not asserting an opinion on whether governments should use chemical agents on civilians, I'm not saying governments only use them against violent riots or that the crowds deserve it. I'm just bringing up the rationale behind banning it in war but allowing it in peace. Also the U.S. is far from the only nation to use it. Most nations on Earth use it, they use it because it works

[@masonjohnson4310]

For some reason, this video gives me the odd sense that it is meant specifically to inform people who are targeted with tear gas rather than as a video for informing the general populace.

[@kristiankp]

Because where else do you think the general populace would experience tear gas? It helps to know what to do in that sort of situation.

[@Natibe_]

It’s almost like being gassed right now is very topical! Or are you one of the ones that thinks all the gas being used on peaceful protesters means they must have been hostile.

[@jasper3706]

It's almost like people enjoy watching videos about topical subjects 🤔🤔🤔

[@emilyjanet455]

@Awesome Sauce right. So the fact that hundreds of thousands of protesters are regularly being gassed around the US and the world is all some kind of antifa plot. And not maybe the fact that cops have slightly too much power and too little accountability.

[@SolarScion]

@Awesome Sauce "Riots are the language of the unheard" -MLK Perhaps look more into the actual message of those whom the mainstream media have whitewashed to remove criticisms of the oppressive powers.

[@TaiWanWaf]

I enjoy listening to your face talk ^-^ thank you for this,

[@ALWALEED1911]

I like how you handled the topic objectively from a scientific standpoint without any opinion about the morality of using it.

[@fiction-]

This is terrifying considering people in Portland have been tear gassed pretty much 50+ days in a row.

[@fiction-]

@@jeff86ing No one in a democratic country should be tear-gassed for protesting. But let's not bring a crazy debate to this page, since nothing I say would convince you that anyone other than rabid, armed, fascist aunt tifa terrorists are roaming the streets of Portland. Have a great day!

[@randomuser5443]

It’s funny how the have been attempting to destroy the city for 3 months now

[@MrWalksindarkness]

"we're not here to tell you how to feel about these chemicals or their use" OMG that is so cute, almost like you are an objective science channel

[@thekingoffailure9967]

This man only gets his Real Facts™ scraped fresh off the bottom of the Breitbart curated propaganda barrel

[@rubbers3]

@@thekingoffailure9967 How dare you assume their gender?!

[@anarchyantz1564]

@@rubbers3 Ah spot the liberal.

[@bosniakedisniksic]

Michael looking real good with the hair. Looking fresh bro

[@astroidyeti2169]

Good old tear gas, I remember getting tear gassed in BMQ ( Basic Military Qualification)

[@lyn_shallash]

Nice vid. Especially in the current context

[@LuinTathren]

It may be just my perception, but Michael seemed like he was suppressing his anger.

[@cyb3ar897]

Yeah, you can definitely tell. There are points where it's really noticeable with his body language and vocal inflections, that aren't really consistent with the calm, almost therapeutic way he talks when hosting in different videos.

[@Beryllahawk]

What a sobering topic. Well handled, and thank you. I did not know any of this information and frankly I am a bit more frightened now. I have an allergy to capasaicin - not enough to kill me but I react much more strongly to even tiny amounts than most. I tend to avoid spicy foods a lot - and now, I have more reasons to avoid ever being in a situation where tear gas of ANY kind gets on me.

[@nickybnick]

The protein conformation change waa really cool!

[@hiiamelecktro4985]

So to bad for war but good enough for civilians? What

[@ag135i]

Hypocrisy

[@WildFyreful]

I know! It makes no sense. T.T

[@thes7274473]

ACAB

[@jcarby23]

There actually a very rational reason for this. One such reason is that lethal weapons are used in Warfare, (tanks, bombs, guns, etc.) and an argument was made that if non lethal measures aren't allowed to be used to control violent crowds (such as tear gas) the alternative is, logcially, lethal weapons.

[@flameconvoy7424]

JCarby23 the weird thing is why can’t the tear gas be used in war? Not that they wouldn’t be needed, but that they are not allowed

[@umi3017]

Just one more question: is it addictive?

[@Willam_J]

Officer one: “What’s that guy doing?” Officer two: “I believe that he’s huffing tear gas.” 😂

[@haloskaterkid]

Good ol’ TRPV1. Learned about those receptors in my neurobio class back at unc, really interesting stuff. Now if only they could make a less harmful but deterrent cool spray work on TRPM8 🤔

[@HayTatsuko]

5:02 *_Phrasing..._* Thanks for the interesting, informative video. I'm just giggling a bit at the way that one bit of dialogue was written. :)

[@dontlookatmyname5439]

thank god it wasnt only me

[@bueno7135]

The way this video resonates with so many places in the current context is just... sad To all fighters around the world: stay safe stay strong ~love from Hong Kong :'(

[@SLEEPYJK]

Next lesson: ways to make tear gas less effective when it's shot at you

[@malbers35]

Insert it rectally.

[@pierreuntel1970]

Pee on it to show dominance

[@creativedesignation7880]

@@pierreuntel1970 You are joking, but you are partially right xD If you aim to pee inside the canister, that will stop the flow of tear gas. Most people use water bottels to fill up the canisters though, which is probably a healthier alternative for ones genitals.

[@boomboyo]

Keep away from the source *throws the source back

[@MrChazz10]

I once found a chilli growing in the bush, i carried it around for a while until i ate it with my lunch but my hand felt like it was burning for the rest of the day till I got home. I asked my mum how to get rid of it and she suggested rubbing leaves from a chilli bush on the area, that didn't really work, next suggestion was sugar mixed with water (sweeter the better) and rub it on the area and i swear this works, the sensation lessened and it was gone soon after that. It's like sugar is a competitive inhibitor for capsaicin. Before all this i had tried washing the area with soap repeatedly and even tried milk lol, sugar water was the only thing that got rid of it.

[@cb-wi1cq]

WORLD BADDDD AHHHHH

[@evilsharkey8954]

Well, it is 2020.

[@christiank7837]

CS gas is not fun at all, I was stuck in a gas chamber with that stuff for 5 minutes! 30 seconds without a gas mask, but none the less the gas makes your skin feel like you’re in a hot shower with a sunburn!

[@dylanfinch2951]

4:28 "They hurt" the way he said it made it sound like he was going to cry

[@AniBAretz]

@SciShow, amazingly good job, here! Please do one on tazers, as well.

[@tpierce104]

Thanks, Michael & the SciShow team. I live in Portland where this is a pretty hot issue at the moment, and this will be a good resource to show people. So, thanks.

[@MacoveiVlad]

I see another problem with the studies. I presume human test subjects knew they were about to be sprayed and hold their breath. If someone is taken by surprise the chemical could travel in the airways and lungs where i could cause a inflammatory reaction. I know that inflammation of the airways is the deadliest simptom of anaphylactic shock. I'm not a medical professional and the type of inflammation could be different but it kind of makes sens for these chemicals to be much more dangerous if inhaled and to be not tested in this condition.

[@aidantruax9716]

Well the studies based on soldiers in the 1960s don't actually have that problem as soldiers in the gas chamber are always required to remove their mask and take 1 quick, deep breath, and in some cases even required to recite the entired creed of your designated branch of the military.

[@MacoveiVlad]

@@aidantruax9716 Interesting. I didn't know that. I wonder if they also did that with CN. I remember reading somewhere that it requires medical attention and that it is now illegal. Many years ago I bought a can for self defense and tested it in the yard with the wind from my back. Probably due to air turbulence I managed to get very very little in my throat. I had a sore spot there for a couple of hours.

[@ihatepeoplewithlongusernam366]

It makes you feel like dying, but you can have a laugh with your friends about it after it is done

[@nirui.o]

9:03 Mr Green, is that you?