Chemical Defense

Other Effects of Pepper Spray Usage

Personal defense sprays may also contain toxic substances. CS and CN based sprays are toxic in themselves and may cause physical injury which can lead to liabilities. Depending on the brand, an OC spray may contain water, alcohols, or organic solvents as liquid carriers; and nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or halogenated hydrocarbons (such as Freon, tetrachloroethylene, and methylene chloride) as propellants to discharge the canister contents. Inhalation of high doses of some of these chemicals can produce adverse cardiac, respiratory, and neurological effects, including arrhythmias and sudden death. Methylene chloride, a known carcinogen, is the active solvent found in older paint strippers; it has been banned by the California EPA. Sprays which contain methylene chloride may cause permanent eye damage leading to liabilities.