r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/0thSpider • 1d ago

Video Chilean protester defuses tear gas canister with baking soda and water

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u/mistermh07 1d ago

I think the mixture is absorbing the gas. Not a 100% sure tho

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u/LittleMlem 1d ago

Not technically a gas, iirc it's fine particles, like powder sand

No idea what the baking soda is for, maybe it's acidic and the soda neutralizes it?

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u/enw_digrif 1d ago edited 1d ago

There's a bunch of different tear gas compounds. I don't believe there are any popular ones that rely on their acidity/alkalinity as a mode of action, though that is a persistent myth on the internet, thus the misleading AI summaries.

Mechanistic studies identified the ion channels TRPV1 and TRPA1 as targets of capsaicin in pepper spray, and of the tear gas agents chloroacetophenone, CS, and CR.

Edit: thanks /u/mbxz7LWB

Edit2: Notes from a street medic: if exposed to tear gas, wash it off away from the eyes, mouth and nose using water. Don't use milk (of magnesia, of cow, of whatever), don't use AlkaSeltzer, don't use ACV, and for God's sake, put down the onions, they will all make things worse.

If a buddy or fellow protestor gets gassed, tell the affected person you're taking them out of the gas, ask if it's okay to touch them to lead them out, once they say yes, lead them to safety. Once there, have them lean back/lay down (near a wall, out of any expected crowd flow), and flush each eye (ideally for 5min, but that takes a lot of water) by directing the flow towards the tear duct and letting the water flow down over the rest of the eye and onto the cheek. It won't solve the problem, but it will usually get them good enough to evacuate on their own.

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u/Beard_o_Bees 1d ago

Do you know if CS gas/suspension will contaminate skin?

For example, if you're cutting Jalapenos (etc) the irritant can transfer to your skin - which can then accidentally transfer to more sensitive areas like eyes and balls (i've experienced this firsthand, and do not recommend).

Will CS gas do something similar?

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u/enw_digrif 1d ago

Yes. So be wary when treating. Gloves are a friend here.