The term "CS gas" is commonly used to refer to a type of tear gas used by law enforcement for crowd control. It is spelled with the letters "C" and "S," which are pronounced using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as [siː] and [ɛs], respectively. The word "gas" is pronounced as [ɡæs] in IPA. The spelling of "CS gas" accurately reflects the pronunciation of its component sounds in English, making it a straightforward term for communication in the field of law enforcement.
CS gas is a type of tear gas commonly used in riot control and warfare situations. It is an acronym for "2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile," a compound derived from benzaldehyde and malononitrile. This artificial compound is odorless and appears as a whitish powder. CS gas belongs to a class of chemical irritants known as riot control agents, designed to temporarily incapacitate individuals by inducing physical discomfort and impairment of sensory organs.
When deployed, CS gas is dispersed into the air as a fine aerosol by various means such as canisters or grenades. Upon contact with mucous membranes, particularly the eyes, nose, and throat, CS gas causes a range of acute effects. These include intense burning sensations, uncontrollable lacrimation, nasal discharge, and coughing. Inhalation of this gas results in difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and potentially severe respiratory distress. Skin contact with CS gas causes irritation and reddening, sometimes leading to rashes or blistering.
The symptoms induced by CS gas are often described as extremely painful, disabling, and disorienting, leading to temporary incapacitation and forcing people to leave affected areas. However, CS gas is generally considered non-lethal and its effects typically subside when exposure ceases. Nonetheless, individuals with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, and vulnerable populations like the elderly, children, and pregnant women may be at greater risk of complications due to CS gas exposure.
Overall, CS gas serves as an important tool for law enforcement and military personnel in controlling crowds, dispersing riots, and suppressing potential threats.
The term "CS gas" refers to the chemical compound known as 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile. The origin of the abbreviation CS stands for "chlorobenzylidene malononitrile". The chemical was developed and first synthesized by two chemists, Ben Corson and Roger Stoughton, at Middlebury College in Vermont, USA in 1928. The letters "CS" represent the respective initials of the chemists' surnames. It gained widespread use as a riot control agent, and the term "CS gas" became popularized to refer to this particular chemical compound.