They used expired tear gas in the demos

[nadinbrzezinski]

Expired tear gas used on protesters during Cairo demonstrations

The tear gas canisters used on protesters during the “Anger” demonstrations Friday had surpassed their 2008 expiration date, according to investigations by Al-Masry Al-Youm.

Al-Masry Al-Youm reporters managed to collect the canisters off Cairo's streets. The US-made tear gas canisters bear manufacture dates of 2003 with an indication that they expire after five years.

The canisters, expired over two years ago, were used heavily across Cairo in clashes between the protesters and police forces. Tear gas was seen covering multiple demonstrations sites, especially in Downtown Cairo areas such as Tahrir square, Galaa Bridge, Qasr al-Nil Bridge and 6 October Bridge. In many instances during the protests, protesters were seen throwing the gas-emitting canisters back at security forces or into the Nile river.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/news/expired-tear-gas-used-protesters-during-cairo-demonstrations

Health wise, not good... but if all they had were expired canisters... it is 2011... did they renew their stock? Or what? They went off shelf in 2008... yes this matters.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. So, what happens when it expires?

Does it get more toxic, or less?

:shrug:

[LiberalLoner]

2. Might be less toxic, possibly. Would not become more toxic. n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. Actually CS has an increase in respiratory effects at

short range

[LiberalLoner]

5. ? Wow, okay. my husband is wrong. (Argh, knife in my heart!) n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

15. As a medic we were taught about this

just in case the cops ever used it. Guess what? I never had the fun of going there, just decontaminating a patient. The stuff is also very sticky... I am glad I did not have asthma then

[bluedigger]

16. That has nothing to do with shelf life.

[nadinbrzezinski]

18. No I did not say it did

just that it is far more toxic and has worst respiratory effects the longer it's been on the shelf... it also does not disperse as well. With the amount used today it really don't matter.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. It gets more toxic

it supposed to be renewed every five years. But that means somebody did not renew it... you got to ask why, or why not?

One of those dots that most people don't pay attention too...

[LiberalLoner]

6. I wonder if the Egyptians had to buy that stuff from the U.S. or if it was

provided free as part of aid. If they had to buy it...that might explain things...

[Capitalocracy]

7. Or maybe they have newer ones

but they were like yeah... go get the ones from the back...

[Sonoman]

13. Yep, CS gets really gnarly when it gets old.

Look for a lot of people with serious respiratory and optical issues.

Sonoman

[socialist_n_TN]

8. An aside, but we all might want to stock up...........

on some of those dust masks that they sell anywhere. I would think that if they were wet down, they could give you SOME, slight protection against tear gas. Got to be better than just a bandanna over your face. :)

[LiberalLoner]

9. Don't think it would help much to be honest. When that stuff hits your eyes...your eyes

close uncontrollably. You can not see. It's pretty awful. I still remember "CS confidence chamber" from Basic Training, remember field exercises with it. Will never forget the smell of CS or the feel of it stinging my skin like a sunburn...

[socialist_n_TN]

10. Better than nothing? I haven't had any experience.........

since the 60s, but a wet rag seemed to help then. I'm just trying to think of something cheap and easily accessible JUST IN CASE.

[LiberalLoner]

11. It would serve to keep the powder out of your lungs..true...but if it hits your eyes with enough

concentration...you are blinded. But then...tear gas canisters in open air...less concentrated...maybe not so bad....

I guess what I'm saying is, I'd rather have a protective mask with new filters from the Army Navy store....

[socialist_n_TN]

14. How much are those things? ...........

I'm trying to think of cheap, easily accessible things that you could use in a pinch. Goggles and a wet mask? Would the goggles be worse? I guess it might be, if the gas got into the goggles that could be pretty bad I'm thinking.

[LiberalLoner]

12. Just thinking....CS linked to miscarriages...women among the protestors, maybe

some of them pregnant...?

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. CS is standard around the world as a non lethal