Everyone should learn where to find chemical safety information, MSDS, on the net. There are several places.
http://msds.pdc.cornell.edu
"The contents of the MSDS Database are public-domain."
http://ntp-server.niehs.nih.gov/Main_Pages/Chem-HS.html
National Toxicology Program; search others
http://www.epa.gov/swercepp/ep-chda.htm
list of MSDS sites on web , etc
I do not know which ones, if any, of the following apply to
April 19, 1993. I do not know the brands that were used, if any.
This is only to help you begin your research.
some data on methylene chloride
2 3 4 5 6. The carrier gas for
the "tear gas".
some data on CS, tear gas, actually a
powder. 2 3 4 5 6 . Several
mixtures are available with different pyrotechnic properties.
some data on tear gas "ferret" 40mm
projectiles 2 3 4 . There
are several types and probably several manufacturers. Not an
endorsement.
ntp-db.niehs.nih.gov/NTP_Reports/NTP_Chem_H&S/NTP_Chem7/Radian75-09-2.txt
methylene chloride excerpts:
*FLAMMABILITY (FLASH POINT):
Literature sources indicate that this chemical is nonflammable under
normal conditions [062,173,371,421]. However, it is flammable from 12%-19%
in air with high ignition energy [036,043,066]. This compound is not explosive
when mixed with air but may form explosive mixtures in atmospheres with higher
oxygen content [043,051,395]. It forms flammable vapor-air mixtures at >=100 C
[051,451].
*ACUTE/CHRONIC HAZARDS:
This compound is moderately toxic by all routes [051]. It is an irritant
of the skin, eyes and respiratory tract [102,451]. It is readily absorbed
through the skin [051,058,151,395]. When heated to decomposition it emits
toxic fumes of chlorine, hydrogen chloride gas, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide
and phosgene [043,058,102].
www.atsdr.cdc.gov/mmg21.html phosgene; "It is' also produced when chlorine-containing chemicals bum or break down"
elementary organic chemistry lesson:
a carbon atom has valence 4. It can combine with hydrogen and chlorine,
for example, to form:
CH4 methane, the major component of natural gas used for cooking and heating.
one carbon, four hydrogen
CH3Cl monochloromethane
one carbon, three hydrogen, one chlorine
CH2Cl2 methylene chloride, aka dichloromethane
one carbon, two hydrogen, two chlorine
CHCl3 trichloromethane
one carbon, one hydrogen, three chlorine
CCl4 carbon tetrachloride, "dry"-cleaning fluid
one carbon, four chlorine
As the H are replaced with Cl the "flammability" goes down.
declaration of Eric Larsen, PhD , in DEBORAH BROWN, et al., Civil Action No.H-95-587 v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, et al. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
more refernces: http://msds.pdc.cornell.edu/msds/siri/q268/q150.html methylene chloride http://msds.pdc.cornell.edu/msds/siri/q326/q253.html http://hazard.com/msds/index.html http://www.bnzmaterials.com/msds/msds218.html http://hazard.com/msds/mf/cards/file/0058.html CH2Cl2 http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/m4420.htm http://hazard.com/msds/mf/cyanamid/files/ etc
This page for information purposes only. Disclaimers apply. You are completely responsible for results of your actions. Check with a professional chemist and lawyer before using these chemicals.
If you need chemical info, please do some personal research to crosscheck with your advisors; particularly in the case that you are the new head of the DOJ.