How to relieve tear gas exposure

Tear gas is normally used by the police or enforcement agencies to control protesters and to disperse crowds in a riot or an illegal assembly. Tear gas normally used by riot police are either Chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile (CS) or Chloroacetophenone (CN) also known as mace.

Tear gas is launched as grenades or aerosol cans, and exposure to tear gas will irritate the mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, mouth and lungs causing tearing, coughing and sneezing. Tear gas is actually acidic and its effect lasts about 5 to 30 minutes. It is good to be prepared before participating in any demonstrations. If the situation becomes unruly, there is a high chance that the police will use tear gas to dispers crowds.