Why Tear Gas Cleanup Procedures are Necessary

Tear gas is used sometimes when law enforcement need to subdue an aggressor. If the tear gas is used in a home or property, proper tear gas cleanup procedures are needed to ensure the safety and health of current and future residents. Cleaning up tear gas by yourself is dangerous and should be left to professionals who follow safe and thorough procedures.

Tear gases are liquids or solids that can be finely dispersed in the air through the use of sprays, fog generators, grenades, and shells. Two types of tear gases are CN (chloroacetophenone, Mace) and CS (chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile). Both CN and CS irritate mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, mouth and lungs, and cause tearing, sneezing, coughing, and burning sensations.

Following Proper Tear Gas Cleanup Procedures

A fine residue is left after tear gas canisters explode, and it is crucial to never attempt to clean it up yourself because it can be extremely hazardous to your health. Attempting to clean up tear gas residue by yourself can have disastrous effects to your building’s structure as well. There are several reasons why professionals should be the only ones to clean up after an incident involving tear gas:

• Residue can settle in the HVAC system. If not properly removed, tear gas residue can cycle back through your building when the HVAC is in use.
• Canisters can punch holes in ceilings or drywall, causing unstable structures.
• Broken glass and bloodborne pathogens could be present.
• Tear gas cleanup can cause agitation in settled residue. When agitation occurs, tear gas can be activated again and cause recontamination of the area. Cleanup becomes very difficult for workers in the space, even when wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE).

Professional Tear Gas Cleanup Procedures

When cleaning up tear gas residue, technicians must follow special procedures to safely remediate the area. Aftermath, a crime and trauma scene cleanup company, follows strict control procedures and uses state-of-the-art technology when cleaning up affected homes or businesses. The procedures include:

• Performing structural remediation to remove damaged walls, floors, and surface coverings
• Carefully washing affected surfaces in the home to restore safety
• Training our staff in complex crime scene situations involving tear gas and trauma

Aftermath works closely with law enforcement officials to restore homes and businesses to a safe state. Contact us online or call 877-872-4339 if you need a professional company to perform tear gas residue cleanup.