Peripheral chemosensory irritant chemicals

B. Ballantyne, Riot Control Agents in Military Operations, Civil Disturbance Control and Potential Terrorist Activities, with Particular Reference to Peripheral Chemosensory Irritants, Chemical Warfare Agents, Toxicology and Treatment, ed. T. C. Marrs, R. L. Maynard and F. R Sidell, 2nd edn, Wiley, Chichester, 2007, ch. 26, pp. 543-612. 

Ballantyne, B., Riot control agents in military operations, civil disturbance control, and potential terrorist activities, with particular reference to peripheral chemosensory irritants, in Chemical Warfare Agents Toxicology and Treatment, Second Edition, Marrs, T.C., Maynard, R.L., and SideU, F.R., Eds., John Wiley Sons, Chichester, 2006a, pp. 543-612. 

RCAs are peripheral chemosensory irritants that target the eyes, airways and/or skin. The 1997 CWC defines them as Any chemical not listed in a Schedule, which can produce rapidly in humans sensory irritation or disabling physical effects which disappear within a short time following termination of exposure . Use for riot control purposes is permitted under the CWC, but not for military harassment, and stocks of RCAs must be declared. Most of the major RCAs [CN, CS and dibenz[/),/]-l,4-oxazepine (CR) Scheme 1.8] are low volatility solids and, unless they are used in solution in a spray, they need to be aerosolised for efficient use, for example using pyrotechnic munitions or dispersed as micronised powders. 

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