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CS or '''2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile''' (chemical formula: C10H5ClN2) is a substance that is used as a 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. Notably CS has a limited effect on animals due to "under-developed tear-ducts and protection by fur". Zarc International Inc. CS factsheet. PRODUCTION It is Synthesized by the reaction of 2-chlorobenzaldehyde and Malononitrile via the Knoevenagel Condensation : ::ClC6H4CHO + H2C(CN)2 → ClC6H4CHC(CN)2 + H2O The reaction is catalysed with weak base like Piperidine or Pyridine . The production method has not changed since the substance has been discovered by B Carson and R Staughton.1 Other bases, solvent free methods and Microwave promotion have been suggested to improve the production of the substance.2 The physiological properties have been discovered already by the chemists first synthesising the compound in 1928: "Physiological Properties.-Certain of these dinitriles have the effect of sneeze and tear gases. They are harmless when wet but to handle the dry powder is disastrous. ( Sic )" 'CS GAS' - A MISNOMER In common parlance CS is referred to as 'CS gas' or 'Tear gas', however this description is incorrect because 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile is a solid at room temperature, not a Gas . A variety of 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 . It is worth noting that many types of tear gas have been produced 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 around 15 different types of tear gas tested worldwide. CS has become the most popular due to its 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 its 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. Studies on the use of CS on the public have noted that it may be ineffective against persons who are either mentally ill or who are under the effects of alcohol POLICE COMPLAINTS AUTHORITY "SAFER RESTRAINT" - April 2002 (pdf). Persons which had contact with CS sometimes develop allergic contact dermatitis3, even with blisters and crust45 Studies show that most of the effects are of a relative short term, but individuals notice some mild effects even after months.6 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 . 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 in various countries. Guardian Unlimited CS gas attack by former pupil injures 68 children , October, 1999, Liverpool irishhealth.com Gas attack at Dublin hospital, May 2004 BBC News online Shopkeeper attacked with CS gas, December 2005, Manchester BBC News online Car thieves spray gas at motorist, January 2006, Oxted. CS is banned from use in war by the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention (signed 1993), as its 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 Final Report of the Expert Panel to Review SAS Veterans’ Health Concerns 2003 (pdf). Vietnam It has been reported that thousands of of CS being used It was also used by the North Vietnamese forces in some battles like Hue in 1968 or during the Easter Offensive in 1972. The Austin Chronicle FBI's Use of Tear Gas Questioned at Davidian Trial, Lethal Weapon, by Robert Bryce.. .]] Northern Ireland CS gas was heavily used in the 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 Iraq successfully developed CS during the 1970s and during the 1980s produced tons of the substance firstly at 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. BBC News online Riots in Toxteth Personal incapacitant spray (PIS) was sanctioned for use by Police in England and Wales in 1995. 8 The CS preparation in this case is CS dissolved in the organic solvent MiBK , or methyl iso-butyl ketone, an industrial de-greasing agent. The propellant used in this preparation is Nitrogen The Police Complaints Authority CS SPRAY: INCREASING PUBLIC SAFETY, March 2000. (pdf). It has been noted that the solvent MiBK is itself harmful, and can cause inflammation, dermatitis, burns to the skin & liver damage. Safety (MSDS) data for methyl isobutyl ketone The Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory Oxford University . A six month trial by 16 police forces in England began on the 1st March 1996. Only two weeks later, on the 16th of March 1996, a Gambia n Asylum Seeker , Ibrahima Sey was taken to Ilford Police Station in East London . Whilst incapacitating the man, police sprayed him with CS and held him on the ground for over 15 minutes. A verdict of " Unlawful Killing " was given by the jury at the end of the inquiry into his death, no charges were brought against any member of the police force INQUEST, 1997 Report on the death in Police custody of Ibrahima Sey. The forces that do use the PIS in the UK require that police personnel themselves must themselves be sprayed with a 3% dissolved CS, 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 (pelargonic acid vanillylamide aka nonivamide) 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). 9 In 1999 the UK mental health charity 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:
However it is not yet confirmded that Mr Ford's injury is a reaction from being exposed to police CS spray or whether another non-police chemical exposure has caused the injury and an investigation is ongoing. 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 was used in large quantities to quell a peaceful protest in Lusaka , Zambia in July 1997, Amnesty International reported that it had been manufactured by the UK company Pains-Wessex. Subsequently, Amnesty called for an export ban when the receiving regime is either not fully trained in the use of CS, or had shown usage "contrary to the manufacturer’s instructions". Amnesty International Report Stopping the Torture Trade (pdf) In September 2000, the Guardian Newspaper revealed how a UK company, HPP, used legal loopholes to export CS to a private security company in militia in Rwanda to flush Tutsi s out of buildings before hacking them to death. CS has been used by the government in South Africa ; by Israel against Palestinians ; by the South Korea n government in Seoul , and during the Balkan conflicts. CS tear gas was used at the G8 protests in anti-globalization demonstrations during the Quebec City Summit Of The Americas . TOXICITY 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. Tear Gas: Harassing Agent or Toxic Chemical Weapon? The Journal of the American Medical Association On 28 September 2000 , 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:
Many reports have associated CS exposure with miscarriages , this is consistent with its reported Clastogenic effect (abnormal chromosome change) on mammalian cells. When CS is metabolized, cyanide can be detected in human tissue. According to the United States Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, CS emits "very toxic fumes" when heated to decomposition, and at specified concentrations CS gas is an immediate danger to life and health. They also state that those exposed to CS gas should seek medical attention immediately {Link without Title} . DECONTAMINATION Decontamination can be performed by washing with an Alkaline solution of water and 5% sodium bisulfite. SEE ALSO
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