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Pepper spray is a lacrimator, meaning that it stimulates the eyes to produce tears. It typically comes in an aerosol or spray bottle.
The main component of pepper spray is an oil known as oleoresin capsicum. This oil comes from plants in the genus Capsicum, which includes chili peppers.
The active ingredient in pepper spray is capsaicin, the same chemical that adds the characteristic heat to chili peppers. Pepper spray contains much higher concentrations of capsaicin than chili peppers.
Capsicum oil also forms the basis of bear spray, an aerosol designed to protect humans who encounter a bear.
Pepper spray has a very high score on the Scoville heat units (SHU) scale, which measures the “heat” of peppers. On the Scoville scale:
The capsaicin concentration of most pepper spray that law enforcement agents use is 5–10%. A higher concentration results in longer lasting effects.
Pepper spray use is controversial, particularly when members of law enforcement units use it against civilian protestors.
The Chemical Weapons Convention ban the use of riot control measures such as pepper spray and tear gas in warfare. However, law enforcement officers use pepper spray and tear gas to disperse crowds and suppress protests.
Civilians can buy pepper spray over the counter for self-defense, though some U.S. states restrict its sales.
When pepper spray comes into contact with a person’s eyes, it causes immediate eye closure, acute eye pain, and temporary blindness. Some people describe a bubbling or boiling sensation and severe discomfort.
Pepper spray can also have the following effects:
People report scratches to the eyeball, or corneal abrasions, in about 10% of cases. Such scratches are temporary and may result from a person rubbing their eyes.
While painful, the symptoms are self-limiting in most cases. They tend to resolve on their own within 30 minutesTrusted Source and usually do not require medical treatment.
A cough or shortness of breath can persist, especially in people with lung disorders. People with conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may experience more severe breathing effects.
In rare cases, pepper spray can cause cyanosis, a bluish discoloration of the skin that indicates a lack of blood flow and oxygen.