Mass Casualty Acute Pepper Spray Inhalation Respiratory Effect Severity
Pepper spray use has gained momentum since 1992
and although the active ingredient is readily available, it is considered
a weapon with restricted use in many regions, including The
Bahamas. In light of controversy in the literature regarding the
severity of presenting respiration complaints among individuals postacute
exposure of pepper spray inhalation, this descriptive case series
study was conducted to assess the respiratory status of persons
evaluated during a mass casualty in The Bahamas. Parameters noted
were patients- demographics and respiration severity determined via
clinical examination findings, disposition and follow-up review of the
20 persons. Their most common complaint was difficulty breathing
post exposure. Two required admission and stayed for <24 hours
uneventfully. All cases remained without residual complaints upon
follow-up. Results showed that although respiration difficulty was
perceived as the most detrimental of presenting complaints, it was
noted to be mostly subjective with benign outcome.
[1] T. C. Chan, G. M. Vilke, J. Clausen, R. F. Clark, P. Schmidt, T.
Snowden, and T. Neuman, "The effects of oleoresin capsicum ÔÇÿpepper-
spray inhalation on respiratory function." Journal of Forensic Science,
vol. 47, no. 2, pp. 299-304, 2002.
[2] J. J. Oh, R. Yong, R. Ponampalam, V. Anantharman, and S. H. Lim,
"Mass casualty incident involving pepper spray exposure: impact on the
emergency department and management of casualties Hong Kong."
Journal of Emergency Medicine, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 352-359, 2010.
[3] R. G. Christensen, and D. E. Frank, Preliminary investigation of
oleoresin capsicum. Office of Law Enforcement Standards, National
Institute of Standards and Technology, National Institute of Justice;
1995 Report No. 100-95.
[4] P. Montaque, Chemical Composition of Pepper Sprays. 2009.
[5] C. G. Smith, and W. Stopford, "Health Hazards of Pepper Spray."
NCMJ, vol. 60, no. 5, pp. 268-274, 1999.
[6] R. W. Fuller, "Pharmacology of inhaled capsaicin in humans." Respir
Med., vol. 85, Suppl. A, pp. 31-4, 1991.
[7] W. Johnson, "Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Capsicum
Annuum Extract, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Capsicum Annuum
Resin, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Powder, Capsicum Frutescens Fruit,
Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract, Capsicum Frutescens Resin, and
Capsaicin." International Journal of Toxicology, vol. 26, Suppl. 1, pp.
3-106, 2007.
[8] D. F. Billmire, C. Vinocur, M. Ginda, N. B. Robinson, H. Panitch, H.
Friss, D. Rubenstein, and J. F. Wiley, "Pepper-spray-induced respiratory
failure treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation." Pediatrics,
vol. 98, no. 5, pp. 961-3. 1996.
[9] C. H. Steffee, P. E. Lantz, L. M. Flannagan, R. L. Thompson, and D.
R. Jason, "Oleoresin capsicum (pepper) spray and ÔÇÿn custody deaths-."
Am J Forensic Med Path, vol. 16, pp. 185-92. 1995.
[10] W. A. Watson, K. R. Stremel, and E. J. "Oleoresin capsicum (capstun)
toxicity from aerosol exposures." Ann Pharmacotherapy, vol. 30, pp.
733-5. 1996.
[11] J. Granfield, J. Onnen, and C. S. Petty, Pepper spray and in-custody
deaths. Executive Brief. Science & Technology. Washington DC:
International Association of Chiefs of Police, 1994.
[12] D. Ross, and B. Siddle, Use of force policies and training
recommendations: based on the medical implications of oleoresin
capsicum. St. Louis: PPCT Research Review, 1996.
[13] C. A. Reilly, J. L. Taylor, D. L. Lanza, B. A. Carr, D. J. Crouch, and G.
S. Yost, "Capsaicinoids Cause Inflammation and Epithelial Cell Death
through Activation of Vanilloid Receptors." Toxicol. Sci, vol. 73, no. 1,
pp. 170-181, 2003.
[14] B. Veronesi, M. Oortgiesen, J. Roy, J. D. Carter, S. A. Simon, and
S. H. Gavett, "Vanilloid (capsaicin) receptors influence inflammatory
sensitivity in response to particulate matter." Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol,
vol. 169, pp. 66-76, 2000.
[15] D. M. McDonald, "Infections intensify neurogenic plasma extravasation
in the airway mucosa." Amer Rev Resp Dis, vol. 146, pp. S40-4, 1992.
[16] The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California. Pepper
spray update: more fatalities, more questions. 1995.
[17] R. Busker, H. P. M. van Helden, "Toxicologic Evaluation of Pepper
Spray as a Possible Weapon for the Dutch Police Force: Risk
Assessment and Efficacy." American Journal of Forensic Medicine &
Pathology, vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 309-316, 1998.
[18] E. Seyhan, N. Mert, and H Mert, "The Effect of Pepper Gas (OC) on
Some Biochemical Parameters in Rats." KafkasUniv Vet FakDerg, vol.
18, no. 2, pp. 259-266, 2012.
[1] T. C. Chan, G. M. Vilke, J. Clausen, R. F. Clark, P. Schmidt, T.
Snowden, and T. Neuman, "The effects of oleoresin capsicum ÔÇÿpepper-
spray inhalation on respiratory function." Journal of Forensic Science,
vol. 47, no. 2, pp. 299-304, 2002.
[2] J. J. Oh, R. Yong, R. Ponampalam, V. Anantharman, and S. H. Lim,
"Mass casualty incident involving pepper spray exposure: impact on the
emergency department and management of casualties Hong Kong."
Journal of Emergency Medicine, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 352-359, 2010.
[3] R. G. Christensen, and D. E. Frank, Preliminary investigation of
oleoresin capsicum. Office of Law Enforcement Standards, National
Institute of Standards and Technology, National Institute of Justice;
1995 Report No. 100-95.
[4] P. Montaque, Chemical Composition of Pepper Sprays. 2009.
[5] C. G. Smith, and W. Stopford, "Health Hazards of Pepper Spray."
NCMJ, vol. 60, no. 5, pp. 268-274, 1999.
[6] R. W. Fuller, "Pharmacology of inhaled capsaicin in humans." Respir
Med., vol. 85, Suppl. A, pp. 31-4, 1991.
[7] W. Johnson, "Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Capsicum
Annuum Extract, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Capsicum Annuum
Resin, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Powder, Capsicum Frutescens Fruit,
Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract, Capsicum Frutescens Resin, and
Capsaicin." International Journal of Toxicology, vol. 26, Suppl. 1, pp.
3-106, 2007.
[8] D. F. Billmire, C. Vinocur, M. Ginda, N. B. Robinson, H. Panitch, H.
Friss, D. Rubenstein, and J. F. Wiley, "Pepper-spray-induced respiratory
failure treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation." Pediatrics,
vol. 98, no. 5, pp. 961-3. 1996.
[9] C. H. Steffee, P. E. Lantz, L. M. Flannagan, R. L. Thompson, and D.
R. Jason, "Oleoresin capsicum (pepper) spray and ÔÇÿn custody deaths-."
Am J Forensic Med Path, vol. 16, pp. 185-92. 1995.
[10] W. A. Watson, K. R. Stremel, and E. J. "Oleoresin capsicum (capstun)
toxicity from aerosol exposures." Ann Pharmacotherapy, vol. 30, pp.
733-5. 1996.
[11] J. Granfield, J. Onnen, and C. S. Petty, Pepper spray and in-custody
deaths. Executive Brief. Science & Technology. Washington DC:
International Association of Chiefs of Police, 1994.
[12] D. Ross, and B. Siddle, Use of force policies and training
recommendations: based on the medical implications of oleoresin
capsicum. St. Louis: PPCT Research Review, 1996.
[13] C. A. Reilly, J. L. Taylor, D. L. Lanza, B. A. Carr, D. J. Crouch, and G.
S. Yost, "Capsaicinoids Cause Inflammation and Epithelial Cell Death
through Activation of Vanilloid Receptors." Toxicol. Sci, vol. 73, no. 1,
pp. 170-181, 2003.
[14] B. Veronesi, M. Oortgiesen, J. Roy, J. D. Carter, S. A. Simon, and
S. H. Gavett, "Vanilloid (capsaicin) receptors influence inflammatory
sensitivity in response to particulate matter." Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol,
vol. 169, pp. 66-76, 2000.
[15] D. M. McDonald, "Infections intensify neurogenic plasma extravasation
in the airway mucosa." Amer Rev Resp Dis, vol. 146, pp. S40-4, 1992.
[16] The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California. Pepper
spray update: more fatalities, more questions. 1995.
[17] R. Busker, H. P. M. van Helden, "Toxicologic Evaluation of Pepper
Spray as a Possible Weapon for the Dutch Police Force: Risk
Assessment and Efficacy." American Journal of Forensic Medicine &
Pathology, vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 309-316, 1998.
[18] E. Seyhan, N. Mert, and H Mert, "The Effect of Pepper Gas (OC) on
Some Biochemical Parameters in Rats." KafkasUniv Vet FakDerg, vol.
18, no. 2, pp. 259-266, 2012.
@article{"International Journal of Medical, Medicine and Health Sciences:50910", author = "B. Michelle Sweeting", title = "Mass Casualty Acute Pepper Spray Inhalation Respiratory Effect Severity", abstract = "Pepper spray use has gained momentum since 1992
and although the active ingredient is readily available, it is considered
a weapon with restricted use in many regions, including The
Bahamas. In light of controversy in the literature regarding the
severity of presenting respiration complaints among individuals postacute
exposure of pepper spray inhalation, this descriptive case series
study was conducted to assess the respiratory status of persons
evaluated during a mass casualty in The Bahamas. Parameters noted
were patients- demographics and respiration severity determined via
clinical examination findings, disposition and follow-up review of the
20 persons. Their most common complaint was difficulty breathing
post exposure. Two required admission and stayed for ", keywords = "Acute Pepper Spray Inhalation, Capsaicinoids, Oleoresin Capsicum, Pepper spray, Respiratory severity severity.", volume = "7", number = "6", pages = "237-4", }
