AI overview
Tear gas is a non-lethal chemical weapon that causes temporary irritation to the eyes, skin, and lungs, making it difficult for people to see or breathe. It's commonly used by law enforcement to disperse crowds, though its use is controversial because of concerns about its health effects and potential for misuse.
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Tear gas in use in France 2007 An exploded tear gas canister airborne in Greece A tear gas canister in Minneapolis during Operation Metro Surge
Tear gas, also known as a lachrymatory agent or lachrymator (from Latin lacrima 'tear'), sometimes colloquially known as "mace" after the early commercial self-defense spray, is a chemical weapon that stimulates the nerves of the lacrimal gland in the eye to produce tears. In addition, it can cause severe eye and respiratory pain, skin irritation, bleeding, and blindness. Common lachrymators both currently and formerly used as tear gas include pepper spray (OC gas), PAVA spray (nonivamide), CS gas, CR gas, CN gas (phenacyl chloride), bromoacetone, xylyl bromide, chloropicrin (PS gas) and Mace (a branded mixture).