Pepper Spray: How does it work?
Yes, pepper spray is made from capsaicin, the chemical in hot foods that causes your tongue to burn when you eat something spicy. But it’s really important to recognize that the burn of pepper spray is much closer to PURE CAPSAICIN than it is to anything you’ve ever put on your eggs. Imagine taking a giant crate of the hottest peppers that exist on earth, grinding them up, and then using ethanol to extract out the pure heat-producing substance and tossing the rest. That’s pepper spray.
What does it feel like?
Anecdotal reports say it feels as if your eyes are bubbling and burning as the capsaicin hits the mucous membrane there.
Has it ever killed anyone?
The LA Times reported that at least 61 people have died from exposure to it. If it is inhaled and you have asthma or your breathing passages are restricted in any way, it can cause serious damage as it makes the tissues in your airways swell.
How can you neutralize it?
If it’s in your eyes, all you can do is cry to try and flush out the capsaicin as soon as possible.
(image from peppersprayingcop.tumblr.com)
