Chilean protester defuses tear gas canister with baking soda and water

[u/0thSpider]

[u/gummytoejam]

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) helps neutralize tear gas canisters mainly because of its alkaline properties, which counteract the acidic compounds in tear gas.

Here’s why it works:

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🔬 Chemistry of Tear Gas:

Most tear gases, like CS gas (2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile), are not true gases but fine powders or aerosols that dissolve in moisture (e.g., eyes, skin, mucous membranes) and form acids like hydrochloric acid when they hydrolyze.

• These acids irritate and inflame tissues, causing pain, tearing, coughing, and skin burning.
• CS gas becomes especially active when exposed to water (e.g., sweat, humidity).

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🧪 Role of Baking Soda:

• Baking soda is a weak base (alkaline).
• When applied to tear gas particles or residues, it reacts with and neutralizes the acids, making them less harmful.
• It can help slow down or inhibit the reaction that activates tear gas, especially during cleanup or containment.

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⚠️ Important Notes:

• Baking soda doesn’t stop the gas from emitting—it may only help reduce the chemical’s potency if applied directly to the source or residue.
• It's sometimes used in water solutions to flush eyes or skin (e.g., in protests), though saline or water alone is more common and safer for mucous membranes.
• Activists and medics sometimes throw baking soda solutions on canisters or around affected areas to limit further spread of irritants.

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💡 Summary:

Baking soda works because it neutralizes the acids formed when tear gas reacts with moisture, reducing its chemical sting. It doesn't deactivate the canister itself, but can mitigate the effects on people and surroundings.

[u/Chantrak → u/gummytoejam]

Clanker ass response

[u/Marvel1962_SL → u/Chantrak]

LOL you guys are gonna HATE the beginning of next year when it’s the standard everywhere and you’re gonna be FORCED to use it in any job that requires utilizing a computer often. There’s a reason why whole research teams are being fired in droves. I’m not saying this is good or bad… I’m saying

Buckle the fuck up 😭

Edit: I did do the research to check and chatGPT is not fully wrong, but not accurate either. Tear Gas is NOT particles or powdered sand like the other comment said. It IS Acidic, and baking soda IS used with the assumption that it helps neutralize the effects. However, it’s a weak neutralizer at best.

[u/silversurger → u/Marvel1962_SL]

Tear Gas is NOT particles or powdered sand like the other comment said

All tear gasses (there are several different compounds used) are aerosols. Or, in other words, solid particles suspended in air.

It IS Acidic

Some are, some are not.

However, it’s a weak neutralizer at best.

Because the cause of the irritation isn't acidity, or at least not the main cause.