The Use of Tear Gas on Protesters

Tear gas is a chemical agent banned for use in war under the Chemical Weapons Convention, yet it continues to be used indiscriminately for protest repression by security forces around the world. The data in this visual comes from a 2017 review of 31 studies from 11 countries that concludes “protocols to limit indiscriminate use of chemical irritants are urgently needed…to safeguard human rights and prevent unnecessary morbidity and mortality among protesters”. Please keep in mind that this data is not a comprehensive account of tear gas injuries and deaths, but provides medical insight into the dangers of tear gas.