“The Lancet” : Hong Kong Police Force should reassess the use of tear gas in densely populated areas
A group of medical scholars published an article on the harmful effects of chemical irritants found in tear gas. They questioned the appropriateness of its usage in densely populated areas and whether any clean-up efforts have been initiated by the Hong Kong government. They also criticized the government for not having educated the general public on how to counter these harmful effects. Secretary for the Food and Health Bureau, Sophia Chan, refuted these claims stating that any citizen who enquire about how to deal with tear gas contamination are given proper guidance. As well, affected public areas have been cleaned regularly.
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Studies show chemical irritants in tear gas can be fatal
Professor Emily Chan, Director of the Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and CUHK for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response (CCOUC), along with a few other scholars penned an article published by the renowned medical journal “The Lancet” expressing their concerns over the use of tear gas during crowd dispersal operations carried out by the Hong Kong Police.
She cited a systematic review which examined the health impacts of chemical irritants commonly found in tear gas and pepper spray. Deaths are rare but they have occurred. However, the review found that these chemical irritants resulted in “permanent disabilities such as blindness, vegetative state from traumatic brain injury, amputations and loss of limb function, psychiatric sequelae including post-traumatic stress disorder, persistent respiratory complaints including asthma, and chronic dermatological conditions.”
The authors also criticized the government for failing to take the lead in clean-up efforts and educating the general public regarding the impact on health by chemical irritants. In Hong Kong’s hot and humid climate, the use of tear gas in enclosed spaces such as the MTR can prolong and exacerbate the effects of these chemical irritants. In addition, the police have also used tear gas in densely populated residential areas and places where many seniors live. However, in these areas it is the responsibility of the residents to initiate the clean-up.
Sophia Chan : the Food and Health Bureau has been monitoring the situation
Authors of the article believe. They also recommend investment in tear gas-related health surveillance and long-term environmental monitoring by the government.
In her response to reporters at a press conference, Sophia Chan, refuted the idea that the bureau has not done enough in educating the public regarding the side effects of tear gas. She stated that citizens who contact the bureau asking about tear gas contamination are properly guided and educated on what happens when they are exposed to tear gas. She added that the bureau is monitoring the situation and the public will be given further information and advice.
According to Ms. Chan, the bureau has been sending staff to clean contaminated streets. Subcontractors who clean markets and areas that are under the bureau’s jurisdiction are also given guidance on decontamination. If contamination occurs on private property, it is the owners’ responsibility to ensure the cleaning is done properly.
Source: Stand News