Identification of compounds formed during low temperature thermal dispersion of encapsulated o-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS riot control agent).

U.S. Army chemical mask confidence training is conducted in an enclosed chamber where airborne o-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (also known as CS or "tear gas") is generated using a low temperature (150-300 degrees C) dispersal method. CS capsules are placed onto a flame-heated aerosol generator that melts the capsules and disperses CS into the chamber. To instill confidence in chemical protective equipment, trainees are required to break the seal of their chemical protective mask, resulting in the immediate irritation of their eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Solid phase micro extraction (SPME) sample collection techniques were used inside the chamber, followed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to identify unintended thermal degradation products created during the CS dispersal process. The temperature of the aerosol generator averaged 257 degrees C, and 17 thermal degradation products were identified. To characterize the relationship between temperature and the types of CS thermal degradation products formed, CS was dispersed in a tube furnace at controlled temperatures from 150-300 degrees C and analyzed using the same method. There was a graded response between temperature and the number of thermal degradation products formed, with one product formed at 150 degrees C and 15 products formed at 300 degrees C. Two additional products were identified in the chamber experiment when compared with the tube furnace experiment. These products are likely the result of molten CS dripping directly into the aerosol generator's flame, which averaged 652 degrees C. To prevent undesirable degradation products during thermal dispersion of CS, a delivery system designed to contain the molten CS and maintain a consistent temperature near 150 degrees C is recommended.

Overall view of chemical and biochemical weapons.

This article describes a brief history of chemical warfare, which culminated in the signing of the Chemical Weapons Convention. It describes the current level of chemical weapons and the risk of using them. Furthermore, some traditional technology for the development of chemical weapons, such as increasing toxicity, methods of overcoming chemical protection, research on natural toxins or the introduction of binary technology, has been described. In accordance with many parameters, chemical weapons based on traditional technologies have achieved the limit of their development. There is, however, a big potential of their further development based on the most recent knowledge of modern scientific and technical disciplines, particularly at the boundary of chemistry and biology. The risk is even higher due to the fact that already, today, there is a general acceptance of the development of non-lethal chemical weapons at a technologically higher level. In the future, the chemical arsenal will be based on the accumulation of important information from the fields of chemical, biological and toxin weapons. Data banks obtained in this way will be hardly accessible and the risk of their materialization will persist.

Liberation of hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen chloride during high-temperature dispersion of CS riot control agent.

High temperature dispersion (greater than 700 degrees C) of the riot control agent orthochlorobenzylidenemalononitrile (CS) has previously been shown to produce a number of organic thermal degradation products through rearrangements and loss of cyano and chlorine substituents present on the parent CS compound. Until now the possibility that HCN and HCl might also be air contaminants produced during high temperature CS dispersion has not been examined. Air samples were collected to detect HCN and HCl as air contaminants released during high-temperature CS dispersion indoors. Sampling and analysis based on National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health methods 7904 and 6010 for HCN, and 7903 for HCl, showed evidence that both compounds were present in air samples collected. A reassessment of human health risks associated with exposure to CS riot control agent dispersed at high temperature should be conducted, and should consider the full range of contaminants produced during the dispersion process.

Riot control agents: pharmacology, toxicology, biochemistry and chemistry.

The desired effect of all riot control agents is the temporary disablement of individuals by way of intense irritation of the mucous membranes and skin. Generally, riot control agents can produce acute site-specific toxicity where sensory irritation occurs. Early riot control agents, namely, chloroacetophenone (CN) and chlorodihydrophenarsazine (DM), have been replaced with 'safer' agents such as o-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS) and oleoresin of capsicum (OC). Riot control agents are safe when used as intended: however, the widespread use of riot control agents raises questions and concerns regarding their health effects and safety. A large margin exists between dosages that produce harassment and dosages likely to cause adverse health effects for modern riot control agents such as CS and dibenz[b,f]1 : 4-oxazepine (CR). Yet, despite the low toxicity of modern riot control agents, these compounds are not entirely without risk. The risk of toxicity increases with higher exposure levels and prolonged exposure durations. Ocular, pulmonary and dermal injury may occur on exposure to high levels of these substances, and exposure to riot control agents in enclosed spaces may produce significant toxic effects. Reported deaths are few involving riot control agents, and then only under conditions of prolonged exposure and high concentrations. Recently, concern has focused on the deaths resulting from law enforcement use of OC, a riot control agent generally regarded as safe because it is a natural product. As with other xenobiotics, not enough is known concerning the long-term/chronic effects of riot control agents. Clearly, there is considerable need for additional research to define and delineate the biological and toxicological actions of riot control agents and to illuminate the full health consequences of these compounds as riot control agents.