ABSTRACT
The Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology lists riot control agents as one of the fi ve categories of chemicals used in war (Harris, 1992). They are described as nonlethal tear agents most effective against unprotected personnel. The term chemical warfare has been used since 1917. Irritant chemicals such as lacrimators and sternutators that were used in World War I are traditional examples of harassing agents. The effects of these are briefl y incapacitating and reversible (Harris, 1992). In 1975, U.S. President Gerald Ford signed Executive Order 11850 renouncing fi rst use of riot control agents in war except
in defensive military modes to save lives (Boyd, 2003). More recently, the Secretary of Defense must ensure that they will not be used unless there is presidential approval in advance (SECDEF, 2003).
