Tear gas may be classified as a nonlethal agent but it still can cause human injury.
Pre-existing respiratory conditions:
(1) asthma
(2) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
(3) pulmonary hypertension
(4) chronic cough
Pre-existing ocular conditions:
(1) glaucoma
(2) corneal disorders
(3) contact lenses
Pre-existing cardiovascular disease:
(1) severe hypertension
(2) coronary artery disease
Factors affecting exposure to the gas:
(1) confined space
(2) poor ventilation
(3) large amount of gas delivered
(4) toxic gas component
(5) prolonged exposure
(6) repetitive exposure
(7) disability with poor mobility
Other factors:
(1) allergy to gas component
(2) age extreme (very old or very young)
(3) being hit by the gas cartridge
(4) trauma related to falls or other injury while escaping the gas
(5) physical injury by group discharging the gas (blows, rubber bullets, etc)
(6) seizure disorder
Specialty: Toxicology, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
ICD-10: ,