What is pepper spray?

Pepper spray is made of three major chemicals, which are used in all defensive sprays. The first two are chloroacetophenone and ortho-chlorobenzylidene-malononitrile (CS  and CN) more commonly known as tear gas. These are manmade chemicals. They are irritants to the membrane (eyes, nose, throat, and lung) tissues. In large quantities, they will cause heavy flow of tears and produce mucus.

The third chemical is Oleoresin Capsicum (OC). Capsicum is the Latin word for pepper. Oleoresin  stands for oleo = oil and resin= extract obtained from a plant, so Oleoresin Capsicum means quite literally "pepper extract in oil". 

OC is an inflammatory agent derived from hot cayenne and other peppers. It is the newest defensive spray agent. The oils are extracted from the pepper using a high-pressure process. The pure pepper extract is then diluted with an inert ingredient that reduces the SHU (Scoville Heat Unit) to get it down to a useable SHU for pepper spray. SHU is a unit of measurement that determines how hot something is. The rating goes from one million SHU up to five million SHU. Pepper spray is not an irritant like the tear gases, but an inflammatory agent. Upon contact, it causes an intense burning sensation, temporary blindness, restricted breathing and disorientation. Pepper spray is a hot selling product on the market now. The OC in pepper spray does not deteriorate with age and unlike tear gasses, will not cause lasting after effects. Pepper spray is all natural, being made of cayenne pepper extract. Pepper spray is safe enough for you to spice up your chili with, and in the face and eyes, is no more harmful (just a lot more painful!)

One of the biggest misconceptions about pepper spray is that the higher the percentage of OC, the hotter and better it works. In most cases this could not be further from the truth. Most people opt for one with a higher percentage of oleoresin capsicum in its formula, assuming that more is better and that the spray would be more effective if it contains a higher concentration of OC. In reality most of the best, fastest incapacitating sprays are from 2%-10%. The reason for this is: the lighter the fluid, the faster it penetrates the membranes. The Scoville heat rating is more important than the percentage of pepper spray ingredients. The percentage has nothing to do with the actual SHU or "hot" in the spray. Also, thicker sprays can inflame the skin area more and last longer with this unnecessary inflammation. A good spray will put the attacker down and out allowing you to escape and take control of the situation.

OC has proven itself to be the best deterrent available for defense against attacking dogs and wild animals. Another advantage of OC is that it is not volatile and does not emit a lot of fumes like tear gases.

Pepper spray is now used by nearly every law enforcement agency throughout the country because it is more effective than mace (please read “What is Mace?” for definition) and tear gas. It is also used because pepper spray does not directly cause permanent harm, it works on domestic animals as well as humans and its effects fully wear off in about two hours. Pepper spray is the best non-lethal personal protection available.