Illegal "Mace" contains more toxic CN particles

BMJ 1995;311:871 (30 September)

Letters

Illegal "Mace" contains more toxic CN particles

EDITOR,--Jean-Paul Yih is right to warn of an imminent increasein the number of patients presenting as emergencies after exposureto O-chlorobenzylidine malononitrile (CS) gas.¹ Eye injuriesare likely to predominate. It should be borne in mind that illegallyobtained tear gas may well be composed not of CS but of anotherof the family of lachrymatory agents. These chemicals displaya range of toxic and irritant effects.

The most common of these agents is chloro-acetophenone, whichis more toxic than CS.² It is the active component of the selfdefence spray Mace, being delivered by aerosol. Though the ocularsymptoms from this may persist for over 24 hours, complete recoveryis the rule. Systems that deliver chloroacetophenone powder,such as those fired from tear gas pistols or pens, are alsoreadily purchased abroad. Solid particles of powder fired fromthese weapons cause mechanical as well as chemical injuries,especially . . . [Full text of this article]