Call for review of 'harmful' CS spray

CS sprays used by police in England and Wales may be more harmful than previously thought, according to a report published today.

An analysis of incidents in which personal-incapacitant sprays were used found that blistering and skin inflammation were significantly more common among people sprayed by the police. The study, reported in Emergency Medicine Journal, called for a possible review of its use.

After studying information on spray-trauma cases submitted to the National Poisons Information Service-the researchers found that of 152 cases, 93 were the result of an encounter with the police. They also reported CS sprays causing streaming eyes, burning sensation, blurred vision and swelling.

The sprays combine O-chloro-benzylidine malononitrile dissolved in the solvent methyl isobutyl ketone.