Oleoresin capsicum toxicity

Debarre, S., Karinthi, L., Delamanche, S., Fuche, C., Desforges, P., Calvet, J.H. (1999). Comparative acute toxicity of o-chlorobenzylidene malonitrile (CS) and oleoresin capsicum (OC) in awake rats. Hum. Exp. Toxicol. 18 724-30. 

Watson, W.A., Stremel, K.R., Westdorp, E.J. (1996). Oleoresin capsicum (cap-stun) toxicity from aerosol exposure. Ann. Pharmacother. 30 733-5. 

Another tear gas, probably of most common use or abuse is the pepper spray or Oleoresin Capsicum (Agent OC) or capsicum spray. It has an odor of red pepper. Its chemical name is N-[(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) methyl]-6-noxenamide. It is used by police force for crowd control and by many people for their personal self-defense and abused for robbery and attacks. This compound is derived from cayenne peppers. Its toxicity is relatively low and the compound is non-lethal. However, there are a very few unconfirmed reports of fatalities from heavy exposnres to this substance. The effects from pepper spray are mostly inflammation of eyes, cansing immediate closing of eyes and conghing. Moderate to heavy exposures, however, can canse temporary blindness and may affect breathing when sprayed on the face. Its effects may last for a dnration of 30 to 60 minntes. 

For the purposes of this chapter, "chemical warfare agent" (CWA) is used as a fairly comprehensive term to refer to a diverse group of toxicants commonly discussed within the context of chemical incapacitation for crowd control during riots or death or incapacitation associated with military use or terrorism. The lachrymatory and irritant riot control agents include a-chlorbenzylidene malonitrile (CS), dibenz b,f)-VA oxazepine (CR), w-chloroacetophenone (CN), and oleoresin of capsicum (OC pepper spray) (Salem et al., 2008a). The CWAs... 

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