Suffering From Tear Gas Effects? Eat Raw Tomatoes

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New Vision (Kampala) NEWSNovember 23, 2005 Posted to the web November 23, 2005 By Harriette OnyallaKampala
Tear gas is one of the feared tools of the anti-riot police. And in these politically excitable times, we may have to see it used more widely and often. With tear gas, eyes hurt, tears flow, there is sneezing, coughing and the skin itches with a burning sensation. Its major weakness as a crowd control is that it does not discriminate the rioter from the innocent observer.
What is Tear gas? Tear gas is a mixture of irritants and lachrymators (substances that induce tears). Dr. Joseph Sserwadda, the director of Makerere University Institute of Public Health, says there are several types of tear gas which vary in composition and concentration of the chemical components.
Some 15 chemicals have been used worldwide as tear gas. But the most common one is chloronenzylidenemalononitrite (CS), which has gained widespread acceptance for use to control civilians during disturbances. CS is a powder and is dispersed into the air as either a spray or powder.
Uganda Police surgeon Dr. Michael Barungi says the Police uses pepper spray, which contains capsaicin. Capsaicin is a chemical made from cayenne, paprika or chillies. On first exposure, it causes extreme irritation and pain. However, repeated exposure to the skin makes people less sensitive to pain.
"In fact, capsaicin is available in a cream and is used to treat arthritis or other painful conditions," Barungi says.
Potential health effects:
Use of large amounts of tear gas in recent years in countries like Chile, Panama, South Korea, Israel and increasingly in African countries has raised concern about its safety. Although there is still little medical information about the effects of tear gas, Sserwadda says, it is harmful to people, animals and birds.
Tear gas affects the eyes, respiratory system and skin. Exposure to tear gas causes burning, irritation, tearing and pain in the eyes.
Respiratory symptoms include burning, sneezing, cough, shortness of breath and increased secretions such as runny nose and increased salivation. Nausea and vomiting may also occur.
Skin symptoms include burning sensation and irritation. High concentrations of tear gas can cause blistering of the skin.
Sserwadda says people with pre-existing respiratory problems, such as upper respiratory infections, asthma or emphysema, are more sensitive to tear gas. The very old or very young may be more sensitive to chemical exposures than others. In these groups of people, symptoms may take longer to clear up.
"Generally, the proximity from which the tear gas is sprayed and concentration are important in evaluating its effects," he said.
The effects of tear gas usually occur within seconds after exposure and symptoms usually end within an hour after exposure. For some people, symptoms can take a few days to clear up completely. Effects on skin may take longer to improve. Sserwadda warns that more severe health effects can occur when people remain in an enclosed space where tear gas is present. Future health complications: Dr. Juuko Ndawula, a medical specialist in alternative medicine, says the effects of tear gas dissolve quickly for most people.
But for some people, exposure to tear gas triggers off a precondition within the body system to begin affecting the person. "For example, if hypertension has been running in your family, it means you are predisposed to it. And you could have kept it off with careful dietary and exercise precautions. If suddenly, the body experiences a tear gas shock, the hypertension can be ignited to start affecting you for the rest of your life. This can also occur for allergies, ulcers, heart failure, asthma and all genetic disorders," Ndawula says.
He says another lasting disorder is a skin reaction called allergic contact dermatitis. "Dermatitis may include severe alteration in skin colour, swelling, and blistering," he said.
There are also psychological effects. Sserwada says ignorance about the potency of tear gas exposure may cause anxiety and stress.
He also says excess exposure can result in death when the respiratory system is overwhelmed. However, Sserwada said there is no evidence that exposure to tear gas causes birth defects or reproductive health complications. What to do?
"One way to confront tear gas is eat a lot of raw tomatoes. Raw tomatoes are a multi-therapy. Tomatoes mineralise the body against contamination. They not only help the body systems control the impact of stress, they also help with allergic reaction to tear gas," he says.
Ndawula also says water is the cheapest and best way to decontaminate onesself. "Wash your skin with soap and water. You can pour lots of water on the affected area, though it is best to take a shower. Then drink lots of water immediately after exposure and wash your clothes separately from the rest of your laundry".
Sserwadda says the symptoms of tear gas exposure generally improve without medical treatment. "But if you are concerned about pre-existing medical conditions or experience severe symptoms that do not improve within a few days or continue to experience health problems, you should contact a medical personnel," he says.