ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the effects of riot control agents (RCAs) when humans are exposed either under controlled conditions or during their use. We present information on 1-chloroacetophenone (CN), o-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS), dibenz[b,f]1:4oxazepine (CR), oleoresin capsicum (OC) and natural capsaicinoids and two synthetic components of OC, capsaicin and n-nonanoyl vanillylamide (VAN). We have paid particular attention to those studies that have shown persistent adverse effects related to intentional or unintentional high level acute exposures. When the data are available we present acute and subacute inhalation doses in terms of concentrationtime (Ct) in units of mg-min/m3. For each RCA we examine threshold concentrations where 50% of an exposed population will just react to exposure (TC50 in terms of mg/m3 or molar concentrations (M)) and those where 50% of a population will leave an exposure situation because of irritant effects (ICt50 in terms of mg-min/m3 or molar concentrations (M)). Many of the technical terms used in describing effects of RCAs to humans are technical or medical. Please see the Appendix A on terminology for definitions for these terms.
