Tear gas is a composition of chemical compounds designed to cause severe irritations in the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and mouth of anyone that comes in contact with it. It is to be used only by law enforcement agencies in an effort to control a berserk crowd where lethal force shouldn’t be used. When tear gas is released into the air, residents in the area feel the effect of the gas on them and try to fight it off. This creates ample opportunity for the law enforcement to get the situation under control. The effects of this teargas wear off after a while and in most cases leave no lasting effect. In rare cases however, it has been known to cause serious eye injuries, injuries as serious as blindness. If tear gas was released in your homes or vicinity, it is important that appropriate steps be taken to perform a thorough tear gas cleanup. The residual powder left behind after the teargas settles doesn’t go away on its own and therefore requires thorough tear gas cleanup so that those around do not continue to suffer from the effects of tear gas.
What to do about residual teargas powder
It would be wise of you to immediately contact a professional who is an expert in performing tear gas cleanup and restoration services. This assures you that the area is completely free of any residual powder and thus safe for habitation.
This residual powder is made of very fine particles and can easily get into your clothes. You are advised to throw out these clothes rather than try to salvage them by washing.
What to Keep in Mind
It is better to employ the services of a professional to deal with residual tear gas powder, but if you insist on performing the cleanup yourself, these are what you should bear in mind:
- The type of tear gas used. Tear gas comes in different types, and it is important you know which one was used for you to clean up the place and decontaminate the area efficiently.
- There are two steps to the removal of the residual teargas The first step is removing the visible particle with a vacuum that is tailored to such purposes. Next is to take care of the unseen particles by decontaminating the area. For decontamination, specific sprays that are designed for the specific type of tear gas released should be used to ensure complete removal of all unseen particles.
- If tear gas was released indoors, the ventilation system should be decontaminated as well
Take note that if the tear gas were released indoors, the first step would be to keep the spread of the tear gas contained. This is done by sealing off the affected rooms with the use of plastic. This reduces the cost that will be incurred when conducting the cleanup process.
It cannot be overemphasized that you shouldn’t attempt to perform a tear gas cleanup on your own if you do not possess the required skills and equipment. It is best you have a professional do the job for you as they are more aware of the dos and don’ts involved in the process.