Riot control agents properties

In 1974 the US Army approved the use of CR. CR has much greater irritating properties than CS and is about 5x more effective. In addition, CR is much less toxic than CS. CR is not used in its pure form (a yellow powder), but is dissolved in a solution of 80 parts of propylene glycol and 20 parts of water to form a 0.1% CR solution. It is used in solution as a riot control agent. 

For the purpose of implementing the CWC, toxic chemicals and precursors, which have been identified for the application of verification measures, are listed in Schedules contained in the Annex on Chemicals (for the Schedules, see Chapter 2). Schedule 1 includes chemicals developed, produced, stockpiled, or used as a chemical weapon as defined above, and chemicals structurally close to them. Schedule 2 lists three toxic chemicals not included in Schedule 1 and the degradation products and precursors of these toxic chemicals as well as of those of Schedule 1. Schedule 3 lists four toxic chemicals and precursors not listed in the other Schedules. The Schedules contain mainly organic chemicals with different chemical and physical properties, being neutral chemicals, acids, bases, volatiles, and nonvolatiles, where phosphorus, fluorine, sulfur, chlorine, nitrogen, and oxygen occur frequently. Riot control agents are not included in the Schedules. 

Convulsives and calmatives may rely on their toxic properties to have a physiological effect on humans. If that is the case, and these two NLWs (Non-Lethal Weapons) are not considered RCAs (Riot Control Agents), in order to avoid being classified as a prohibited chemical weapon, they would have to be used for the article I(9)(d) purpose not prohibited" the law enforcement purpose. As discussed... the limits of this purpose not prohibited are not clear and will be determined by the practice of states (emphasis added). 

Riot control agents will be employed to the maximum extent possible. CS agents can be effectively employed in urban area operations to flush enemy personnel from buildings and fortified positions, thus increasing the enemy s vulnerability to allied firepower while reducing the likelihood of destroying civilian property. 

Adamsite belongs to the riot control agent family, being of vomiting agent type. The properties of Adamsite are as follows ... 

The standard tear-producing agents currently in the US Army inventory for riot control are CS, CS1, CS2, CSX, and CR. The United States considers agent CN (popularly known as mace or tear gas) and its mixtures with various chemicals obsolete for military employment. This chapter includes these materials, however, for complete coverage of compounds with potential for use against US forces. This chapter also presents information regarding CN mixtures as an example of how agent properties can be tailored to the method of dissemination. 

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