This article forms part of the series

Chemical Warfare

(A subset of Weapons of Mass Destruction)

Lethal Agents
Blood Agents
Cyanogen chloride
Hydrogen cyanide
Blister Agents
Lewisite
Sulfur Mustard Gas (HD and THD, HT)
Nerve Agents
G-Agents
GA (tabun), GB (sarin) GD (soman), GF (cyclosarin)
V-Agents
VE, VG, VM, VX
Pulmonary Agents
Chlorine
Phosgene
Diphosgene
Non-lethal Agents
Incapacitating Agents
BZ / Agent 15
Riot Control Agents
Pepper spray
Tear Gas

Pepper spray is a non-lethal chemical agent which is used in riot control and personal self-defense. The active ingredient in pepper spray is capsaicin, which is a chemical derived from the fruit of plants in the Capsicum genus, including chiles. Pepper spray is also known as OC spray (from "Oleoresin Capsicum") or OC gas. Long term effects of pepper spray have not been effectively researched or published.

The scoville rating for pepper spray can be as high as 5,300,000 for police grade and much lower for civilian grade. Generic grade OC spray found in most stores measures about 2,000,000 scoville heat units. However, police grade pepper spray is available to civilians.

In the UK, where it is classed as an offensive weapon, the sale and possession of pepper spray is illegal.

See also

• Tear gas
• Chemical weapon

External links

• A history & Chemical Explanation of Pepper Spray (http://www.pepper-spray-store.com/relatedinfo/whatis.shtml)
• Study of Pepper Spray (OC) Combined With Taser (http://www.crtlesslethal.com/experiments.html)

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