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CS gas

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File:CS gas structure.png
Chemical structure of CS.

CS or ortho-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile, (2-chlorobenzylidene malonodinitrile - IUPAC pdf), is a substance that is used as a riot control agent, and is usually claimed to be non-lethal by the forces who use it. CS was discovered by two Americans, Ben Carson and Roger Staughton in 1928, the first letters of the scientists' surname giving us the name of the substance, 'CS' Template:Fn. It was developed and tested secretly at Porton Down in Wiltshire, England. Apparently this testing occurred in the 1950s and 1960s when CS was used firstly on animals, then subsequently on British Army servicemen volunteers.

It is produced from chlorobenzaldehyde and malononitrile and has a molecular weight of 188.6 Template:Fn, and a boiling point of 310°C Template:Fn.

Polish tear gas grenade launcher.

'CS Gas' - a misnomer

Part of a series on
Chemical agents
Lethal agents
Blood
Blister
Nerve
G-agents
V-agents
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Pulmonary/choking
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Incapacitating agents
Riot-control (RCAs)

In common parlance CS is referred to as 'CS gas' or 'Tear gas', however this is actually a misnomer as it is not in fact a gas but a solid. Various techniques have been used to make this solid usable as an airborne irritant. For example in Waco, Texas, CS was dispersed in droplet form. CS was dissolved in the organic solvent Methylene chloride (MC) and when this evaporated, the CS crystallized into fine particles Template:Fn.

It is worth noting that there are many types of tear gas, produced using a number of different chemicals with effects ranging from mild tearing of the eyes to immediate vomiting and prostration. CN and CS are the most widely used and known, but there have been around 15 different types tried around the world. CS has become the most popular due to it's strong effect and lack of toxicity in comparison with other similar chemical agents. The effect of CS on a person will depend on whether it is packaged as a solution, or if it is an aerosol; the size of solution droplets and the size of the CS particulates after evaporation, are factors determining it's effect on the human body. Certain individuals however have been found to be particularly sensitive to CS and or the organic solvents that are utilised.

Preparations

Melted and sprayed in the molten form.
Dissolved in organic solvent.
CS2 dry powder (CS2 is a siliconized, micro-pulverized form of CS).
CS from thermal grenades by generation of hot gases Template:Fn.

CS Incapacitant Spray

CS Incapacitant Spray is used as a temporary incapacitant, to subdue attackers, or persons who are violently aggressive, by many police forces. The chemical reacts with moisture on the skin and in the eyes causing a burning sensation and the immediate forceful shutting of the eyes. Reported effects can include tears streaming from the eyes, running nose full of mucus, burning in the nose and throat areas, disorientation, dizziness and restricted breathing. In highly concentrated doses it can also induce severe coughing and vomiting.

Although predominantly used by police forces it has also been used in criminal attacks.

CS is banned from use in war by the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention (signed 1993), as it's use could be a trigger for full scale chemical warfare, however domestic police use is legal in many countries.

Use geographically

Cyprus

CS was first tested in the field by the British army in Cyprus in 1958. At this time it was known by the code name T792 Template:Fn.

Vietnam

It has been reported that thousands of tons of CS gas were used by the U.S. forces in Vietnam to bring Viet Cong into the open Template:Fn, other estimates report 15 million pounds of CS being used Template:Fn.

Northern Ireland

File:Mural - Battle of the bogside 2004 SMC.jpg
The Bogside Artists mural depicting a boy in a gas mask - a famous image of the Battle of the Bogside

CS gas was heavily used in the Bogside area of Derry, Northern Ireland during the "Battle of the Bogside", a two-day riot in August, 1969. A total of 1,091 canisters containing 12.5g of CS; and 14 canisters containing 50g of CS, were released in the densely populated residential area Template:Fn. On 30 August the Himsworth Inquiry was set up to investigate the medical effects of its use in Derry. Its conclusions, viewed in the political context of the time, still pointed towards the necessity of further testing of CS gas before being used as a riot control agent. Not long after, the British Army and RUC ceased using CS in Northern Ireland. Up to this point, it had been used in crowd control scenarios in Derry and Belfast.

Iraq

Saddam Hussein used CS against the Kurds in his own country and against Iran during the Iran-Iraq War.

England & Wales

CS tear gas was first used in mainland Britain to quell rioting in the Toxteth area of Liverpool in 1981. Template:Fn

Personal incapacitant spray (PIS) was sanctioned for use by Police in England and Wales in 1995. Template:Fn The CS preparation in this case is CS dissolved in the organic solvent MiBK, or methyl iso-butyl ketone, an industrial de-greasing agent. It has been noted that the solvent MiBK is itself harmful, and can cause inflammation, dermatitis, and burns to the skin.

The forces that do use the PIS in the UK require that police personnel themselves must themselves be sprayed during self-defence training, in order for them to be able to be authorised to carry it as personal protection equipment (PPE). They are also trained in helping the incapacitated person recover quickly once successfully restrained. Forces that do not issue CS Spray to its officers issue PAVA Spray or Captor Spray.

Notably the CS spray used by UK police has 5 times as much CS as the spray used by American police forces (5% dissolved CS and 1% CS respectively). Template:Fn

In 1999 the UK mental health charity MIND called for a suspension in its use until it is fully tested and there is proof that CS is safe. Template:Fn

More recently, in February 2006 there have been calls to have CS spray banned in the UK after Dan Ford, from Wareham in Dorset, was permanently facially scarred after being sprayed in the face with a police CS canister. Mr Ford was subsequently advised by doctors to stay out of sunlight for at least 12 months. About the incident, his cousin, Donna Lewis, was quoted as saying:

"To look at him, it was like looking at a melting man, with liquid oozing from his face." Template:Fn

USA

CS is used by many police forces within the USA, for example the NYPD, it was most famously used as one of a number of techniques used by FBI law enforcement officials in the 1993 Waco Siege.

Members of the armed forces of the United States of America are often exposed to CS during initial training to show the importance of proper wearing of a gas mask. As the agent's presence quickly reveals improper fit or seal of the mask's rubber gaskets against the face, it is sometimes used during training refresher courses or equipment maintenance exercises as well.

Elsewhere

CS has been used by the government in South Africa; by Israel against Palestinians; by the South Korean government in Seoul, and during the Balkan conflicts. CS tear gas been used at the G8 protests, in Quebec, Canada Template:Fn and Genoa, Italy. Template:Fn

Non-Lethal ?

Although described as a non-lethal weapon for crowd control, many studies have raised doubts about this classification. As well as creating severe pulmonary damage, CS can also significantly damage the heart and liver. Template:Fn

On 28 September 200O, Prof. Dr. Uwe Heinrich released a study commissioned by John C. Danforth, of 'The Office of Special Counsel', to investigate the use of CS by the FBI at the Branch Davidians' Mount Carmel compound. In summary, he concluded that the lethality of CS used would have been determined mainly by two factors: whether gas masks were used, and whether the occupants were trapped in a room. He suggests that if no gas masks were used and the occupants were trapped, then:

"...there is a distinct possibility that this kind of CS exposure can significantly contribute to or even cause lethal effects ." Template:Fn

Many reports have associated CS exposure with miscarriages Template:Fn, this is consistent with it's reported clastogenic effect (abnormal chromosome change) on mammalian cells.

When CS is metabolized, cyanide can be detected in human tissue. Template:Fn

See also

References

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