Here’s What to Do if You’ve Been Exposed to Tear Gas, According to an Expert

First: Get away from the area immediately.

minneapolis protester tear gas

As protests over the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and countless other unarmed Black people by police erupt in America, the point is clear: At last, something has to change. Countless demonstrators vocally supporting the Black Lives Matter movement have taken to the streets around the world..

Now, law enforcement has turned to extreme measures to control crowds, including the use of physical force, pepper spray, and even rubber bullets. In particular, tear gas is also being used with increasing frequency.

Tear gas is known as a riot control agent, and firing the severe irritant into large groups of people causes panic—and a host of symptoms that immediately incapacitate unprotected people. In the U.S., one of the most common compounds used in tear gas is chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile (CS), which is a solid that’s released into the air as fine particles through the use of a charge, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

What does tear gas feel like?

Agents referred to as tear gas cause “excruciating pain,” according to Sven-Eric Jordt, Ph.D., associate professor of anesthesiology at Duke University. “You initially feel that your eyes are burning. This activates the tear reflex as a defensive measure, and also activates spasming of the eyelid muscles that forces you, basically, to close them.”

Blinding you with tears and involuntary blinking, the gas enters your lungs and nasal passages and triggers “a tremendous secretion of mucus”—an effect that Jordt compares to asphyxiation or even drowning. The skin on your face and lips starts to feel like it’s burning. On top of spiking anxiety, Jordt says, some people also start vomiting and experience an elevated heart rate.

It’s a brutal tactic—and one that’s been banned during warfare by the Geneva Convention. But there are way to prepare for (and recover from) tear gas exposure, especially if showing up for your cause is worth the risks. If you’re planning on protesting, here’s everything you need to know about shielding yourself from tear gas, and what to do if you’ve been caught in the thick of it.

What to do if you’re exposed to tear gas

protests continue at capitol in denver in aftermath to death of george floyd
Police officers fire tear gas at protesters near the Colorado state capitol during a protest on May 29, 2020 in Denver, Colorado.
Michael CiagloGetty Images

1. Get out of the area immediately.

It’s important to limit your exposure to any tear gas, Jordt says. “Remove yourself from the situation.” Longer exposure to tear gas means more tears, mucus, choking, and incapacitation. It’s not worth it to stay—make sure that you and the people around you are clearing out of the affected area. If you can, the CDC recommends seeking higher ground to escape lingering particles.

2. Rinse your eyes and face with water.

Once you’ve reached an area with fresh air, immediately start to “rinse your face and eyes,” Jordt says. Don’t wash from the forehead down—that could just risk your eyes to more exposure. Try to let the water fall off without rolling over another part of the face. Do not rub your face, as the active part of tear gas isn’t actually a gas; it’s a powder that binds to skin. Remove any contacts and throw them away.

If you’re a person helping someone who has been gassed, make sure you gain their consent before helping them, even if it’s nonverbal. Some protesters use milk and dish soap or baking soda diluted in water to wash people who have been gassed. Both Jordt and the CDC say you should use plain water and avoid milk because it’s not sterile and could end up causing an infection, especially if it’s been unrefrigerated.

3. Remove any contaminated clothing.

The active ingredients in tear gas can easily bind to clothing, exposing you to pain over and over. Jordt recommends removing your outer layer of clothing immediately. To avoid triggering another wave of pain, cut off any clothes that have to be pulled over the head, the CDC advises.

“Get rid of those clothes,” Jordt says. “[CS] is particles. It’s not the gas that dissipates. Once you’ve been exposed, these particles will stay on your skin, and they can cause burns. If they’re in your eyes, they can burn your cornea.” Don’t risk it: Seal your clothes in a plastic bag, then seal that bag inside another plastic bag, according to the CDC. Glasses should also be washed thoroughly before being used again.

4. Get home and shower.

Showering is crucial, Jordt says, because it finalizes that initial rinse right after exposure. Try to get home or find a safe location where you can shower with plenty of soap and water. Remember: If you’ve been gassed, you shouldn’t feel any shame in leaving to take care of yourself.

How to protect yourself from tear gas

Much of the protective measures against tear gas also help stop the spread of COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus.

✔️Keep your distance: If you’re far apart from others, it’s easier to run from tear gas canisters and avoid coronavirus transmission, which is most likely when you’re within a six-foot distance of others.

✔️Shield your face: Avoid wearing contacts, if possible. “I would also recommend that people wear protective glasses or goggles like you can buy at a hardware store,” Jordt says. This will keep tear gas and pepper spray out of your eyes, block projectiles and rubber bullets, and minimize your exposure to pathogens in the air. To protect your face, cover your nose and mouth with a mask (which you should already be wearing anyway).

✔️Cover up: Wear long sleeves and pants to help keep tear gas off of your skin.

✔️Skip oil-based makeup or skincare: According to the International News Safety Institute, oil-based makeup, sunscreen, and creams can cause tear gas to stick to your skin, making it much harder to wash off.

Who does tear gas impact the most?

“There are certain people who are highly sensitive and should not be exposed,” Jordt says, including “people who have an underlying condition, such as asthma or cardiovascular conditions.” Sudden difficulty breathing or climbing heart rates could trigger a medical emergency.

That’s why anyone with pre-existing respiratory issues should avoid tear gas out of an abundance of caution (even though it’s not good for anyone). If you want to protest but have asthma or a lung condition, you should avoid the front and center of the crowd and possibly assign yourself a role, like handing out water to other protesters.

What are the long-term health effects of tear gas?

The long-term impacts of tear gas exposure are woefully under-studied. In a 2016 study co-authored by Jordt, this reality is laid bare: “Much of the research surrounding the effects of tear gas exposure was derived from laboratory animal research or from small studies of previously healthy individuals in controlled conditions.”

According to the CDC, prolonged exposure to tear gas can cause eye problems like scarring, glaucoma, and cataracts, as well as breathing problems like asthma. One 2014 survey of people who had been exposed to tear gas during protests in Turkey revealed symptoms like persistent cough, chest pain, mucus, coughing up blood, breathing difficulties, and nasal discharge—some of which lasted for weeks after exposure.

Another review by the U.S. Army concluded that tear gas also increases the likelihood of respiratory illnesses after exposure. More than 6,000 recruits were gassed as part of training. “This relatively young and healthy population developed a high risk of presenting with acute respiratory illness in the time after CS exposure, with increasing risk at higher exposure concentrations,” the 2016 study notes. In other words: Tear gas exposure could make you more susceptible to respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.

Bottom line: Tear gas has the potential to seriously harm protesters.

During a pandemic caused by a respiratory illness, it’s crucial to avoid tear gas as much as you can by preparing for the possibility before a protest and having a backup plan if you are exposed. If you have tried the treatment plan above and do not feel that your reaction to tear gas is getting better, it’s important to seek medical care immediately.


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