Pepper Spray is a pepper derivative called
oleorsein capiscum.
Oleoresin capsicum is the oily extract
of the cayenne pepper plant. Exposure to
OC irritates the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract.
These properties of the pepper plant have
been known for centuries. In Japan, samurai
warriors threw rice-paper bags filled
with pepper extracts at the eyes of their
enemies to cause temporary blindness.
Chinese soldiers heated red peppers in
hot oil to form an irritant smoke to be
blown over enemy lines.
In 1973, OC became available as an
aerosol spray and was initially used by
FBI personnel and U.S. mail carriers to
incapacitate humans and animals on a
temporary basis. During the late 1980s,
it was widely adopted by law enforcement
agencies nationwide and was made available for use by the general public.
Currently, hand-held canister spray models
are produced and used in this country.
These models produce an aerosol, liquid
stream, or foam spray, with OC concentrations
ranging from 1 to 10 percent.
Pepper sprays are generally regarded
as immediately effective, safer, and less
toxic than other classic forms of tear gas
or mace, such as chloroacetophenone (CN)
or o-chlorobenzyildene malononitrile (CS).
This information was made available from the U.S. Department of justice.