Here’s what to do if you get exposed to tear gas

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Demonstrators in Portland, Oregon are enveloped in tear gas while protesting George Floyd’s death.

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As protests against police brutality and racism in response to the death of George Floyd (and many other people of color) continue throughout the country, demonstrators — even peaceful ones — are facing violent force from authorities attempting to control crowds. One tactic that is often used is a riot control agent also called tear gas — a chemical weapon that is illegal to use in wars — but legal in the US if used to disperse crowds and de-escalate protests.

If you are involved in a protest – or live in an area near an active protest –  it’s very likely that you could be exposed to the gas. We’ve seen multiple protests that started peacefully where law enforcement used tear gas on the crowd. So if you are planning to take part in a protest, you should be prepared to encounter it just in case you do.

Here’s what you should know about tear gas, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you are exposed.

Read more: Know your protesting rights: Here’s what you can and can’t legally do

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What is tear gas?
Tear gas is an aerosolized solid or liquid — not an actual gas — that contains chemicals that are intended to cause a painful reaction that make people “unable to function” as a result of the reaction, according to the CDC website. It’s made up of different compounds, including chloroacetophenone (CN) and chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS).

The gas is not designed to kill people, but it can cause a lot of pain and potentially injure you. In some situations, people can die due to the chemical exposure. The CDC says that the more severe effects are more likely in a closed setting (inside a building or room), or due to long-lasting exposure or a large amount of exposure. The severe effects can include: blindness, glaucoma, immediate death due to severe chemical burns to the throat and lungs, or respiratory failure that can result in death.

In most cases, people will feel discomfort or pain for 15 to 30 minutes after getting away from and cleaning off the gas residue, though effects can last several hours. 

Canisters of tear gas are often thrown into crowds of people to get them to disperse. Do not touch these canisters, as they are hot and tall women can harm you.

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How tear gas affects the body, according to the CDC:

Eyes: Tearing, burning, redness or blurred vision 

Nose: Runny nose, burning, swelling

Mouth: Burning, irritation, difficulty swallowing, drooling

Lungs: Chest tightness, coughing, choking sensation, noisy breathing (wheezing), shortness of breath

Skin: Burns, rash

Other: Nausea and vomiting

If you have been exposed to tear gas, or expect you may be exposed in the future, here’s what to do to remove the gas from your body and find relief from the symptoms as quickly as possible.