CS Tear Gas Testing on Human Subjects: "Waterbucket II" 1966 US Army Edgewood Arsenal

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• published: 12 May 2016
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Firearms playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL22A5611941174745 more at http://quickfound.net 'Waterbucket II E8 Test on Ambush... This film is a U.S. Army "Edgewood Arsenal Report" on three chemical munitions systems that were under development by the U.S. Army. The E8, E158, and E159 were tested at Camp A. P. Hill, Virginia. In test one the goal was to test E158 and E159 to see if these aerial clusters prevented ambush by reconnaissance, and to determine the effects of the weapons on both masked and unmasked troops. The results showed that eighty-five percent of the area was covered and the majority of troops were incapacitated. In test two the goal was to see if E8 and E158 were effective for a daylight ambush on hostile foot columns. The results showed that the E158 cut off avenues of escape, and the E8 placed at the back and front of the column created a cloud over the killing zone. In test three the goal was to test daylight defense of a fixed installation. The results showed that the attack force was incapacitated. In test four the goal was to test an ambush and to see whether a friendly foot column that was initially unmasked could counter an ambush using launchers. The results showed that the friendly forces were able to incapacitate an enemy, but the enemy was able to flee from the cloud.' Public domain film from the US National Archives, slightly cropped to remove uneven edges, with the aspect ratio corrected, and one-pass brightness-contrast-color correction & mild video noise reduction applied. The soundtrack was also processed with volume normalization, noise reduction, clipping reduction, and/or equalization (the resulting sound, though not perfect, is far less noisy than the original). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CS_gas The compound 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (also called o-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile) (chemical formula: C10H5ClN2), a cyanocarbon, is the defining component of a tear gas commonly referred to as CS gas, which is used as a riot control agent. Exposure causes a burning sensation and tearing of the eyes to the extent that the subject cannot keep their eyes open, and a burning irritation of the nose, mouth and throat mucous membranes causing profuse coughing, mucous nasal discharge, disorientation, and difficulty breathing, partially incapacitating the subject. CS gas is an aerosol of a volatile solvent (a substance that dissolves other active substances and that easily evaporates) and 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile, which is a solid compound at room temperature. CS gas is generally accepted as being non-lethal. It was discovered by two Americans, Ben Corson and Roger Stoughton, at Middlebury College in 1928, and the chemical's name is derived from the first letters of the scientists' surnames. CS was developed and tested secretly at Porton Down in Wiltshire, England, in the 1950s and 1960s. CS was used first on animals, then subsequently on British Army servicemen volunteers. CS has less effect on animals due to "under-developed tear-ducts and protection by fur"... Production CS is synthesized by the reaction of 2-chlorobenzaldehyde and malononitrile via the Knoevenagel condensation: ClC6H4CHO + H2C(CN)2 → ClC6H4CHC(CN)2 + H2O The reaction is catalysed with weak base like piperidine or pyridine. The production method has not changed since the substance was discovered by Corson and Stoughton. Other bases, solvent free methods and microwave promotion have been suggested to improve the production of the substance. The physiological properties had been discovered already by the chemists first synthesising the compound in 1928: "Physiological Properties. Certain of these dinitriles have the effect of sneeze and tear gases. They are harmless when wet but to handle the dry powder is disastrous." Many types of tear gas and other riot control agents have been produced with effects ranging from mild tearing of the eyes to immediate vomiting and prostration. CN and CS are the most widely used and known, but around 15 different types of tear gas have been developed worldwide e.g., adamsite or bromoacetone, CNB, and CNC. CS has become the most popular due to its strong effect. The effect of CS on a person will depend on whether it is packaged as a solution or used as an aerosol. The size of solution droplets and the size of the CS particulates after evaporation are factors determining its effect on the human body. The chemical reacts with moisture on the skin and in the eyes, causing a burning sensation and the immediate forceful and uncontrollable shutting of the eyes. Effects usually include tears streaming from the eyes, profuse coughing, exceptional nasal discharge that is full of mucus, burning in the eyes, eyelids, nose and throat areas, disorientation, dizziness and restricted breathing...