An evaluation of the relative potential public health concern for the self-defense spray active ingredients oleoresin capsicum, o-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile, and 2-chloroacetophenone.
In 1996, the New York State Department of Health was charged by the State Legislature to develop regulations regarding the types of self-defense spray devices which could lawfully be purchased, possessed, and used in New York State. Prior to this legislation, sale or possession of self-defense spray devices in New York State was illegal. The Department of Health used existing data to evaluate three commonly used self-defense spray active ingredients (oleoresin capsicum, o-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile, and 2-chloroacetophenone) with respect to their relative toxicity and their involvement in accidental poisonings. Based on the balance of the available information, the Department of Health determined that oleoresin capsicum posed a lower public health concern than o-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile or 2-chloroacetophenone, and developed a rule that specifies oleoresin capsicum as the only active ingredient to be used in self-defense sprays for sale and use in New York State.
Recer
Gregg M
GM
Bureau of Toxic Assessment, Center for Environmental Health, New York State Department of Health, New York 12180-2216, USA. gmr05@health.state.ny.us
Johnson
Thomas B
TB
Gleason
A Kevin
AK
D000059:Accidents; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000336:Aerosols / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D001597:Benzylidene Compounds; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009518:New York; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity*; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards*; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute; D002721:omega-Chloroacetophenone / Q000633:toxicity*
D000336:Aerosols; D001597:Benzylidene Compounds; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds; C451700:chlorobenzylidine; C018620:oleoresins; D002721:omega-Chloroacetophenone