Skin injuries caused by new riot control agent used against civilians on the West Bank.
A new riot control agent, used by the Israeli army against civilians protesting about the Separation Wall on the West Bank, has been reported as causing severe skin injuries. We obtained one of the munitions and have identified the contents as capsaicin with an inert carrier and a dispersal agent. This corresponds to the commercially available 'Pepperball Tactical Powder'. Skin injuries of the severity described have not previously been reported with this agent, and would be difficult to manage for clinicians who were unaware of the nature of the agent.
Hay
Alastair
A
Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT. A.W.M.Hay@leeds.ac.uk
Giacaman
Rita
R
Sansur
Ramzi
R
Rose
Steven
S
D018912:Arabs; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000633:toxicity*; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D035846:Law Enforcement; D011057:Politics; D011208:Powders / Q000633:toxicity; D012305:Riots / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*
D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D011208:Powders; D002211:Capsaicin