Tear Gas Biohazard Clean Up

10/6/2021 (Permalink)

Tear gas is dangerous for the crew members involved, the complexity of completely eliminating gas residue makes it unusually challenging to remove.

Many people do not realize that the irritants in tear gas can linger long after the canisters are discharged and the subjects have been cleared from the property. Tear gas residue can seep into furniture, carpet and even hardwood floors. Tear gas also spreads through ventilation systems. It can continue to irritate the mucous membranes of anyone residing in or visiting the property long after the initial incident

When tear gas is used, canisters are shot from launchers that heat the canisters prior to release to help disperse the gas more effectively. The particles are heavy so they settle eventually, but can move from powder to gas state with heat and water, which makes recontamination very likely with an untrained crime scene cleanup crew.

A tear gas intrusion scene often presents with damaged walls and doors as well as broken windows secondary to forced entry by law enforcement officials. Tear gas canisters often are shot into an enclosed space to subdue a subject, which leads to drywall penetration in both ceilings and walls.

Tear gas residue may contain dyes that stain surfaces such as walls, ceilings and carpeting. Tear gas also leaves a thick harmful residue that easily can reconvert back to a toxic gas which irritates mucous membranes and can cause vomiting

Tear gas is a mucous membrane irritant. It typically is used to subdue subjects by law enforcement, or as a deterrent from attack. Tear gas can be defined by several irritants, including:
• Chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS)
• Chloroacetophenone (CN)
• Dibenzoxazepine (CR)
• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC or pepper spray)

If your home or business experiences any kind of biohazard damage, our team of professionals are trained to handle it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 weeks a year.  Our technicians are equipped with necessary safety equipment and cleaning products to clean your loss. SERVPRO of Greeley/Windsor can turn an unsafe environment into clean, safe homes and businesses. 

Call SERVPRO of Greeley/Windsor at 970-353-1388, we will make it “Like it never even happened.”