Image: Chumsak Kanoknan/Getty Images
About This Quiz
Before you walk head-on into a cloud of tear gas at your next protest, rally or sporting event, let's make sure you're well-acquainted with this riot-suppressing chemical. Ready? Take a deep breath and move on to the first question.
Let's start simple. How does tear gas produce tears?
by attacking the emotional center of the brain
by irritating the ocular immune system
Tear gas may have provoked general sadness in the old Disney cartoons, but it's nothing more than a chemical irritant. The tears are just your immune system's way of cleaning it all out.
by smelling bad
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Tear-producing chemicals are known by another name, which comes from the Greek word for tears. What's that other name?
lacrimators
Tear gas chemicals are known as lacrimators, which comes from the Greek word "lacrima."
tristitianators
tearusup maximus
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All three of these chemicals have earned the name "tear gas" from time to time. Which is the most commonly used one today?
chloropicrin (PS)
chloroacetophenone (CN)
ortho-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (CS)
Developed in the late 1950s, ortho-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (CS) remains the most popular and effective lacrimator.
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How long do CS gas exposure symptoms typically last?
10-20 minutes
30-60 minutes
Under normal exposure conditions, most symptoms of CS gas exposure subside in an hour or less.
2-3 hours
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True or false: Tear gas is actually banned under the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention.
true
True. Tear gas is banned in warfare by the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention. Domestic usage, however, is still legal.
false
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True or false: Some people are at least partially immune to tear gas.
true
True. Some people exhibit genetic or acquired immunity to the irritant. Instead of incapacitating them, the gas might make them sneeze.
false
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True or false: No one has ever died from tear gas.
true
false
False. Prolonged or heavy exposure to CS gas can result in death due to serious internal chemical burns or respiratory failure.
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Which of the following is NOT a specially designed CS variant?
CS-Ultra, a psychedelic version of CS
Thank your lucky stars, protesters, because there's no such thing as CS-Ultra. Yet.
CS2, a version of CS that floats on water
CSX, a liquefiable version of CS
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If you're hit with tear gas, what should your first move be?
wash your eyes
move away from the gas
Your instincts will kick in to remind you of this, but the first step you should take is to flee from the tear gas. Prolonged exposure will only make matters worse.
drink water
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What should you bathe in to clean yourself after a tear gas attack?
tomato juice
tonic water and baking soda
normal soap and water
Normal soap and water should do the trick.
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You Got:
/10
Chumsak Kanoknan/Getty Images
