Pepper Sprays - Useful Information

The effect of the active ingredient capsaicin, used in pepper sprays, is immediate and it cannot be neutralized, which is why so many people are concerned about the use of the chemical. Capsaicin is not soluble in water, so it can't be washed off using just water. Tears can help flush the irritant from the eyes, and soap, shampoo, and dish washing detergent can be used to wash the face. To avoid rubbing the spray into the skin, avoid touching affected areas.

Many people are concerned about the long-term effect of pepper sprays and believe they have not been effectively researched. The Journal of Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science published a study which concluded that single exposure of the eye to OC is harmless, but repeated exposure can result in long-lasting changes in corneal sensitivity. The European Parliament Scientific and Technological Options Assessment published a report in 1998 claiming that these sprays can cause death in individuals with asthma because the product restricts breathing passages. Like taser stun guns, the use of pepper spray is controversial because it has been attributed to asphyxiation deaths of individuals in police custody. However, a spray has not been attributed as the direct cause of death in any of these cases.

The law, as it pertains to pepper sprays, varies by region. In Canada, all products with a label containing the words "pepper spray" or "mace" for use on humans are classified as a restricted weapon that can only be used by police officers or those carrying a special permit. However, dog pepper spray can be carried by anyone. Laws on pepper spray in the United States differ between states. In Washington, D.C., possession of pepper spray must be registered with the DC Metropolitan Police. Massachusetts residents may only buy pepper spray from licensed Firearms Dealers in that state, and must hold a valid Firearms Identification Card. In Wisconsin, teargas is not permissible. In many other states, pepper spray can be purchased at various stores and carried legally by anyone over 18.

As helpful as pepper sprays have been to law enforcement agencies, many have traded the chemical for police products like taser stun guns. The medical community and civil rights organizations continue to express concern over the use of sprays, but it remains a popular consumer product. While the deaths are few, many believe that even 1 is too many.