General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: #Ferguson—Police over loudspeakers now: "Please turn off your cameras." [View all]hedgehog
(36,286 posts)"Tear gas works by irritating mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, mouth and lungs, and causes crying, sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, pain in the eyes, and temporary blindness. With CS gas, symptoms of irritation usually appear after 2060 seconds of exposure[1] and commonly resolve within 30 minutes of leaving (or being removed from) the area.[2] With pepper spray (also called "oleoresin capsicum", capsaicinoid or OC gas), the onset of symptoms, including loss of motor control, is almost immediate.[2]
Lachrymators are thought to act by attacking sulfhydryl functional groups in enzymes. One of the most probable protein targets is the TRPA1 ion channel that is expressed in sensory nerves (trigeminal nerve) of the eyes, nose, mouth and lungs.
Risks
As with all non-lethal, or less-than-lethal weapons, there is some risk of serious permanent injury or death when tear gas is used.[3][4] This includes risks from being hit by tear gas cartridges, which include severe bruising, loss of eyes, skull fracture, and even death.[5] While the medical consequences of the gases themselves are typically limited to minor skin inflammation, delayed complications are also possible: people with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma, who are particularly at risk, are likely to need medical attention[1] and may sometimes require hospitalization or even ventilation support.[6] Skin exposure to CS may cause chemical burns[7] or induce allergic contact dermatitis.[1][2] When people are hit at close range or are severely exposed, eye injuries involving scarring of the cornea can lead to a permanent loss in visual acuity.[8]"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tear_gas
What are the odds that an elderly person with a heart condition lives in one of those houses? What are the odds that there is a newborn?