Riot control agents and their respiratory effects

Riot control agents produce effects by sensory irritation, causing extreme discomfort or pain in the organs affected. They are compounds that usually cause temporary incapacitation by irritation of the eyes and the upper respiratory tract. They are commonly used by law enforcement agencies to control civil disturbances and for training purposes by the military forces.

We are presenting the case of a police officer who suffered an episode of toxic inhalation with acute lung injury during training with riot control agents. We also briefly review the respiratory effects of the most commonly used riot control agents.