In addition, the military police field manual also stated that. Despite their increased use as a deadly force, riot control agents remain exempted. Maradmin 5008, marine corps training and use of human electromuscular incapacitation hemi devices, dtg 02036z oct 08. Second, the issues raised by their use differ according to whether they are employed for law enforcement purposes or in the conduct of hostilities.
Riot control agents, also called irritants, lacrimators, and tear gas, produce transient discomfort and eye closure to render the recipient temporarily incapable of fighting or resisting. Wartime use the us has renounced first use of herbicides in war except under regulations applicable. Each state party undertakes to destroy any chemical weapons production facilities it owns or possesses, or that are located in any place under its jurisdiction or control, in accordance with the provisions of this convention. Chairman of the joint chief of staff jcs memorandum for. Unclassifiedfor official use only u joint nonlethal. Permitted for law enforcement purposes but prohibited in. They can rapidly produce sensory irritation or disabling. List of dualuse goods and technologies and munitions list. Unlike the latter, rcas are local irritants with disabling effects that disappear within a short time after the exposure. First, riot control agents and expanding bullets have different effects on the human body depending on their specific types and the circumstances in which they are deployed. The use of riot control agents rcas as a method of warfare is prohibited under the chemical weapons convention cwc. The group was tasked with assessing the potential of developing new riot control agents rcas, such as chemical calmatives, as a viable addition or alternative to the law enforcement less lethal arsenal. Riot control agents police departments throughout the world commonly use rcas, either individually or in solutions combining several agents oc, pelargonyl vanillylamide pava or nonivamide, cs, cn, cr, and malodorous substances, as an alternative to deadly force for.
A substance or material that is used in place of toxic agent. However, there are available data which refer to longterm effects and even. Riot control agent an overview sciencedirect topics. Despite their increased use as a deadly force, riot control agents remain exempted from the chemical weapons convention that permits toxic gases to be deployed by law enforcement against civilians. Crowd control, less lethal weapons, tear gas, pepper spray, protests, demonstrations, 2. A riot control agent is defined as any chemical not listed in a schedule which can produce rapidly in humans sensory irritation or disabling physical effects which disappear within a short time fol. Title of document chairman of the joint chiefs of staff memorandum for the vice chief of staff, us air force, subject. The use of rcas in warfare was not a new concept, as they had been used extensively during world war i. While there are some regulations around the trade in tear gas. Tear gas, first used in world war one, is increasingly becoming the weapon of choice for security forces across the globe.
One other definition of relevance is that of riot control agents rcas, the use of which as a method of warfare is prohibited by the cwc. States parties are further obligated to update the declaration not later than 30. Such less lethal options would be delivered in situations and. The united states renounces, as a matter of national policy, first use of herbicides in war except use, under regulations applicable to their. Riot control agents are used by law enforcement officials for crowd control and by individuals and the general public for personal protection for example, pepper spray. Use the resources on this page to plan and prepare for a possible bioterrorism attack. U riot control agent cs is an effective tear agent that can, depending on the way employed, be used to flush the enemy from bunkers and tunnels, reduce his ability to deliver aimed fire while attacking, or deny his use of fighting positions and infiltration routes for extended periods of time.
States parties are further obligated to update the declaration not later than 30 days after any change becomes effective. In particular, treatment options for the most widely used riot control agents in the united states will be discussed. The use of riot control agents during the vietnam war. A riot control agent is defined as any chemical not listed in a schedule which can produce sensory irritation or disabling physical effects rapidly in humans and which disappear within a short time following termination or exposure. Second, the issues raised by their use differ according to whether they are employed for law.
The chemical weapons convention and riot control agents. Executive order 11850 renunciation of certain uses in war of chemical herbicides and riot control agents. Law enforcement agencies use them for riot control and military forces use them for training and in combat see below. Riot control agents are safe when used as intended. The convention, however, permits the employment of such chemicals for law enforcement including domestic riot control purposes, provided they are used in types. On 8 april 1975, president ford signed executive order 11850, which unilaterally renounced first use of riot control agents in armed conflict, with. 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. Flame, riot control agents and herbicide operations open pdf 924 kb the us has renounced first use of herbicides in war except under regulations applicable to domestic use or for control of vegetation within us bases and installations and around their immediate perimeters. Riot control agents include a variety of chemical substances. The convention, however, permits the employment of such chemicals for law enforcement including domestic riot control purposes, provided they are used in types and quantities consistent with such purposes. The united states renounces, as a matter of national policy, first use of herbicides in war except use, under regulations. Chairman of the joint chief of staff jcs memorandum for the. Chemical irritants or riot control agents rcas as they are known under international law, such as tear gas or pepper spray, are used around the world by a range of actors for both personal protection and crowd management.
Because riot control agents are irritant in nature, they can cause a subjective sense of being unable to breathe. Riot control agents sometimes called rcas are nonlethal lachrymatory agents used for riot control. The use of riot control agents as a method of warfare is prohibited by the cwc. They can rapidly produce sensory irritation or disabling physical effects which usually disappear within 15. Lachrymators tearproducing agents like chloroacetone ca, xylyl bromide white cross, and chloroacetophenone cn, along with vomiting agents diphenylaminearsine dm and adamsite and chlorpicrin ps were used in hand grenades, mortar rounds, and artillery shells. Jan 01, 2007 the use of rcas in warfare was not a new concept, as they had been used extensively during world war i. Exposure to the riot control agent cs and potential health. These agents are commonly referred to as tear gases, riot control agents, haras sing agents, incapacitating agents and. For resources relevant to preparation and planning for all types of emergencies, please see emergency preparedness and response. Riotcontrol agents are solids tear gas is a misnomer, and they can be. The use of riot control agents rcas as a method of warfare is prohibited under. See all articles by anna feigenbaum anna feigenbaum. Heal, while advocating for the potential use of calmative agents if a viable option became available, suggested that chemical calmatives might be more effective and better suited for hostage situations than for crowd o r riot control situations. Chemical agents and smoke, page 166 chemical agents 1, page 166 riot control agents 2, page 166 smoke 3, page 168 smoke pots 4, page 168 oil smoke candles 5, page 168 da pam 38563 16 april 2014 iii.
Executive order 11850renunciation of certain uses in war of chemical herbicides and riot control agents source. Peacetime use found in executive order 11850 dated 8 apr 75, renunciation of certain uses in war of chemicals, the secretary of the army, as executive agent for. The chemistry and physical properties of the most common rcas in use today are. One of the more serious effects of riot control agents involves the airways. The initial irritation from chlorine gas may lead to bronchospasm, especially in asthmatics, and rarely to upper airway swelling, but is more often a nuisance. Using the url or doi link below will ensure access to this page indefinitely.
Riot control agents rcas a riot control agent is defined as any chemical not listed in a schedule which can produce sensory irritation or disabling physical effects rapidly in humans and which disappear within a short time following termination or exposure. Guidelines for local responders, based on existing procedures, on the initial response to letters. The next major use of chemical weapons came in vietnam, where the u. Most commonly used riot control agents are pepper spray and various kinds of tear gas.
Excluded from this discussion are chemical agents specifically used to cause damage to lung tissue and that primarily cause pulmonary edema, collectively called pulmonary or choking agents 1. While serious systemic effects are uncommon, exposure to high concentrations may lead to severe complications and even death. Flame, riot control agents and herbicide operations. The executive order restricted the use of herbicides, and riot control agents, including tear gas.
Each state party undertakes not to use riot control agents as a method of warfare. A unique problem with weapons centers on riot control agents. Riot control agents police departments throughout the world commonly use rcas, either individually or in solutions combining several agents oc, pelargonyl vanillylamide pava or nonivamide, cs, cn, cr, and malodorous substances, as an alternative to deadly force for individual protection, subduing unruly felons, crowd. Cs is also used in military settings to test the speed and ability of military personnel to use their gas masks. If riot control agents make contact with the mucous membranes of the nose, they will produce rhinorrhea, sneezing, and burning.
Health impacts of chemical irritants used for crowd control. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Permitted for law enforcement purposes but prohibited in the. Use of hydrocobalamin pulmonary choking phosgene cg chlorine r 20 minutes 24 minutes eye and airway irritation, dyspnea, chest tightness, bronchospasm, and delayed non. Each and every use would require the explicit approval. The current status of rcas under the cwc is a compromise which was reached by the negotiating states opcw, riot control agents, undated but accessed in october 20. Riot control agents and herbicides policy govering us policy for rca and herbicides is found in executive order 11850 dated 8 apr 75, renunciation of certain uses in war of chemicals, herbicides, and riot control agents. Riot control agents rcas, popularly referred to as tear gas or pepper spray, should not be confused with incapacitating agents. The most commonly used riot control agent is tear gas.
Kip lindberg, the use of riot control agents during the vietnam war. These chemicals disperse a crowd that could be protesting or rioting, or to clear a building. Under the chemical weapons convention, riot control agents have been outlawed as a means of warfare. Flame, riot control agent, and herbicide operations excerpt. The agents most commonly used in tear gas are ochlorobenzylidene malononitrile cs. Policy govering us policy for rca and herbicides is.
Cdc preparation and planning for bioterrorism emergencies. Fidler, a professor of law at indiana university, delved deeper into the use of nonlethal technologies, using the moscow theatre tragedy of 2002, as an example to illustrate his claim. In addition to a burning sensation, irritation of the bronchial lining can produce bronchoconstriction, coughing, and dyspnea. The legal paradox of international chemical riot control. Introduction 2chloroacetophenone cn, o chlorobenzylidene malonitrile cs and oleoresin capsicum oc are common riot control agents.
They are often called irritants, irritating agents, and ha rassing agents. Title of document chairman of the joint chiefs of staff memorandum for the vice chief of staff, us air force. During the vietnam war, before the protocol ratification, the united states had used the riot control agent cs ochlorobenzylidene malononitrile extensively. Riot control agents are compounds that cause temporary incapacitation by irritation of the eyes tearing and blepharospasm, causing them to close, and irritation of the upper respiratory tract. Anna feigenbaum offers a bleak picture of how companies with a particular focus on condor in brazil are capitalising on this trend and reaping financial benefits by marketing it as a nonlethal weapon. In rare cases, immediate and delayed bronchospasm has been reported following tear gas use, up to 1224 hours later, but this is uncommon. Aug 15, 2016 executive order 11850renunciation of certain uses in war of chemical herbicides and riot control agents source. Chlorine gas is also an irritant but is not considered to be a riot control agent. It has been suggested that use of cs is characterized by rapid onset of effects, brief duration of effects and minimal sideeffects 1,2,3,4,5. Rcas comprise a diverse array of chemical compounds with similar toxicities since their introduction on the battlefield in the early part of the past century. Riot control agents all produce effects by sensory irritation, causing. The use of riot control agents for enforcing domestic law is explicitly permitted by the 1997 chemical weapons convention. Riot control agents, commonly known as tear gases, are defined by the cwc as any chemical not listed in one of three schedules of restricted chemicals that can produce rapidly in humans sensory irritation or disabling physical effects which disappear within a short time following termination of exposure.
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