Foam Products

Foam as an incapacitating agent is not new technology. It was used in the 1970's as carrier to chemical agent CR. Among its users were the US Marines protecting embassies. It was found to be ineffective method of delivery and was abandoned. One of the reasons the military abandoned the use of foam, was the potential of gagging, vomiting and choking, due to entry of foam bubbles into the respiratory system during rapid inhalation.

OC Foam

10% Pepper Foam

 

OC Foam yellow

  1. Foam as an incapacitating agent is not new technology. It was used in the 1970's as carrier to chemical agent CR. Among its users were the US Marines protecting embassies. It was found to be ineffective method of delivery and was abandoned. The product insert from the makers of Pepper foam® includes the following statement:

    2. "Defense Spray may take several seconds to work and may not work on enraged, drugged, or intoxicated people."

  2. One of the reasons the military abandoned the use of foam, was the potential of gagging, vomiting and choking, due to entry of foam bubbles into the respiratory system during rapid inhalation.
  3. Pepper foam contains Diethanolamine, a substance which is toxic to the eyes:

    4. "Corneal injury may occur". "Obtain medical attention without delay, preferably from an ophthalmologist". (MSDS - Union Carbide 12-7-94).

    "Exposure of the eye to Diethanolamine can cause serious eye injury"
    (Kirk Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology).

    "May cause sufficient injury to the eye to result in loss of time from work."
    (DOW Chemical USA R&D Report).

  4. Foam is also messy, and will cause further contamination, when it gets on clothing, furniture or patrol car seats.
  5. Instruction insert from 10% PEPPER FOAM brand of pepper spray (MSI 105087) includes the following statement:

"…MAY RESULT IN FIRST OR SECOND DEGREE BURNS, SEVERE SKIN IRRITATION, DEPIGMENTATION OR OTHER SKIN INJURY."

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10% Pepper Foam

The following is an excerpt from Mace Security International product insert sheet MSI 105087:

CAUTION: Defense sprays may not be effective against armed assailants. Defense sprays may take several seconds to work and may not work on enraged drugged or intoxicated people.*

FIRST AID CAUTION: FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN FIRST OR SECOND DEGREE BURNS. SEVERE SKIN IRRITATION. DEPIGMENTATION OR OTHER SKIN INJURY.

* Pepper Foam contains very low levels of Capsaicin (0.20%). Low level Capsaicin sprays have been the cause of many documented injuries, both to officers and subjects.

Capsaicin is the substance within OC that causes consistent incapacitation at levels above 0.90%

Pepper Foam is a trademark of Mace Security International

 

 
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