After WWI, certain international treaties came about to protect human rights during wartime. The Geneva Protocol of 1925 banned certain chemical and biological weapons. Can you guess what one of those substances was?
If you said tear gas, then you’re right!
With that in mind, how is it acceptable that US police use tear gas grenade weapons on citizens? Under the agreement, America maintained special exemptions. They can use it for law enforcement purposes.
Are you surprised? We sure were when we learned that fact! Read on to get even more details about the long-term impacts of tear gas.
Long-Term Health Impacts of a Tear Gas Grenade
Tear gas is a chemical agent. When deployed, it irritates a person’s mucus membranes. That means it starts to cause discomfort in the eyes, skin, lungs, and throat immediately.
In most situations, tear gas gets deployed outside. When that’s the case, the gas’ impact gets reduced. If a tear gas grenade goes off indoors, then it’s paramount that everyone evacuates and fast.
Individuals will feel like they’re choking and may actually do so if they don’t get away from the gas. When they get away, the symptoms will go away.
If you get exposed to a lot of gas indoors, then you may have long-term health problems. These can range from:
- Chemical burns
- Blindness or vision problems
- Respiratory failure
- Glaucoma
- Brain injuries
- Mental health effects
- Asthma
While rare, tear gas can cause cancer, respiratory failure, and death.
How to Clean Up Tear Gas Residue
One of the best ways to avoid the long-term effects of tear gas is to clean it up the right way. Tear gas is actually a combination of several chemicals. That means you’ll need to take caution while cleaning up.
First, use PPE including a respirator. Next, vacuum up the powdery dust that settles on the ground. Do your best not to spread the powder during this process. Next, you’ll need to clean every surface with water and a special cleaning solution.
Even after this, you need to seal off and clean the entire HVAC system. For more information on how to clean up tear gas, use this guide.
Going Green: The Environmental Impact of Tear Gas
Do you think humans are the only ones that suffer after tear gas gets deployed? Think again! Tear gas can harm animals nearby and it can cause air pollution, too. As if that’s not bad enough, it contaminates nearby water sources.
It takes days for tear gas to break down. During that time, it continues to permeate and harm the environment.
The Future of Tear Gas
Did you know about the long-term impacts of a tear gas grenade? Whether it’s individual health effects or environmental, the results aren’t good. It doesn’t make sense to use tear gas unless authorities have no other choice.
Are you hoping to advocate for better policing in the future? If so, then it’s crucial that you stay up-to-date and informed. That’s where we come in! Check back on our blog on a regular basis to see more of our latest content.