Biohazard Clean Up: Tear Gas

1/8/2020 (Permalink)

Tear gas is a chemical that stimulates pain, tearing, and burning in the eyes and skin that is commonly used by law enforcement and the military. 

Once tear gas is dispersed into a residence, if proper treatment is not implemented promptly, there is the potential of permanent damage to your property’s structure and personal items within the home and can pose a severe health hazard to you and your family. 

What exactly is tear gas made of?

Today’s tear gas formulations include several different compounds:

• Chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS)
• Chloroacetophenone (CN)
• Dibenzoxazepine (CR)
• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC or pepper spray)

Chlorobenzylidene is not technically a gas. It is shot or thrown in canisters that contain a solid material that turns to a gas when exposed to air and moisture. The resulting chemical reaction makes the canister hot and fills the air with a noxious gas.

Tear gas is complicated to remove as it is developed to disperse and stick to surfaces. After the initial dispersion, the tear gas settles on all surfaces. The oily residue must be removed from all areas of the home, including walls, countertops, floors, and contents. If any vicinity is left untreated, it will continue to off-gas, irritating the eyes, nose, and respiratory tract.  

When law enforcement utilizes tear gas into a residence, it is a last resort. Any size of tear gas cleanup needs to be performed by a company trained in the proper techniques and solutions which neutralize the irritants. As a safety measure, our technicians must wait for law enforcement to deem the affected area stable enough to enter, which can typically take up to about 4-5 days.

To ensure each employee does their job up to company and regulation standards, they receive ongoing training at SERVPRO’s Corporate Training Facility to regular IICRC industry certifications, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. Our training program includes the following:

• IICRC Training
• Employee Certification Training
• Initial Franchise Training
• e-Learnings
• Continuing Education Classes

If your home or business experiences a biohazard situation, our team is here for you. Our technicians are fully trained to perform cleanup measures that will keep you safe. The techs comply with all OSHA and health regulations. 

If you ever find yourself in need of our biohazard services, give us a call at (920) 434-8224.