Hello Friends Working on WTO Issues:  Here is a slightly updated note regarding what we found through our Public Disclosure Act request about tear gas used by the Seattle Police.  It includes my contact info at the end.  While this summary shares what we know at this point and the MSDS sheets and printouts on toxicity I have don’t tell much more, I’d be glad to send copies to folks desiring them. We were amazed to learn that methylene chloride, something we recommend that people avoid in household products because of its toxicity, is a major ingredient in CN gas.
Carol Dansereau
 
 

Tear Gas Contained Paint Stripper Chemical

A tear gas used by the Seattle Police Department contains a powerful solvent which is a common ingredient in paint strippers and varnish removers.  Methylene chloride comprises 50% of the tear gas known as Liquid Agent CN, according to Material Safety Data Sheets released by the Seattle Police Department to the Washington Toxics Coalition.

The Police Department sent the information to the Toxics Coalition in response to a request filed by the Coalition under the state’s Public Disclosure Act.  The Coalition asked for information on all chemicals used on crowds and individuals during the week of November 29, 1999 to
December 3, 1999-the week that the World Trade Organization met in Seattle.

Methylene chloride is considered an anticipated human carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program, a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and a suspected human carcinogen by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial
Hygienists.  Symptoms of over-exposure to methylene chloride include central nervous system depression, temporary neurobehavioral effects, spontaneous abortions, upper respiratory tract irritation, dullness, mental confusion, staggering, liver damage, accoustical and optical delusions, corneal injury, kidney damage, lung damage, tingling of limbs, and other problems. Methylene chloride is metabolized in the body to carbon monoxide and some of these effects may be associated with that chemical.

The Toxics Coalition does not have information on the extent of use of the CN tear gas during the WTO protests, levels of exposure experienced by individuals, whether those exposures could trigger effects, and whether other exposures could have caused symptoms experienced by people.

In response to the WTC Public Disclosure Act request, the Police Department also noted that an OC gas (active ingredient is oleoresin of capsicum) and Pyrotechnic CS agent (o-chlorobenzalmalononitrile) lmalononitrile) are chemical munitions used by the Department and provided Material Safety Data Sheets on these chemicals. In addition to methylene chloride, Liquid Agent CN contains chlorolactetophenone.  More research is needed regarding health effects of these other tear gases and ingredients.

The Toxics Coalition has not obtained information on crowd control
chemicals, if any,  used by law enforcement officials other than the
Seattle Police.

Carol Dansereau, J.D.                           Phone: 206-632-1545
Extension 13
Executive Director,                        Fax: 206-632-8661
Washington Toxics Coalition, 4649 Sunnyside Ave., N, Suite
540-E,  Seattle, WA  98103
cdansereau@watoxics.org;   <http://www.watoxics.org>http://www.watoxics.org

The Toxics Coalition is a non-profit membership-based organization
dedicated to protecting health by preventing pollution in industry, agriculture,
schools and the home. If you are not already a member, please consider joining!                   Dues are $25 per year.
Members receive our quarterly newsletter and periodic action alerts.
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Philip L. Bereano
Professor
Department of Technical Communication
University of Washington
14 Loew Hall, Box 352195
Seattle, WA 98195-2195

ph: (206) 543-9037
fx: (206) 543-8858
email: phil@uwtc.washington.edu
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