A lachrymatory agent or lachrymator (from lacrima meaning "a tear" in Latin) (commonly referred to as tear gas) is a chemical compound that stimulates the corneal nerves in the eyes to cause tearing, pain, and even temporary blindness. Common lachrymators include CS, CR, CN, bromoacetone, phenacyl chloride, phenacyl bromide, and xylyl bromide. Lacrymators often share the structural element Z=C-C-X, where Z = carbon or oxygen, and X = bromide or chloride.

Effects and use

Tear gas works by irritating mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, mouth and lungs, and cause tearing, sneezing, coughing, etc. Lachrymators are thought to act by attacking sulphydryl functional groups in enzymes, but the mechanism is not well understood.

Lachrymatory agents are commonly used as riot control agents and chemical warfare agents. For example, tear gas and pepper spray are commonly used for riot control. During World War I more toxic lachrymatory agents were used. Certain lachrymatory agents are often used by police to assist in bringing offenders under control, most notably tear gas, but also in some countries (Finland & Australia, also the USA) another issued substance is Mace, which is used as a personal attack repellent.

Sources

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A655517
• http://www.eco-action.org/dod/no7/cs_gas.html
• http://www.google.co.uk/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=t&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGLJ_enGB226GB226&q=cs+gas+effects

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