|
Affiliation
|
Texas Department of Health, 11 W 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756, USA. |
|
Abstract
|
Pepper spray is used as an incapacitant agent.
Although now available for general use in the US, the health consequences of
pepper spray exposures are poorly understood. This study used data from human
exposure calls to poison centers in Texas to investigate the epidemiology of
pepper spray exposures. During 1998-2002 there were 1,531 human exposures to
pepper spray identified by the Texas poison centers. Pepper spray reports
declined during the 5-y period of the study. The majority of exposures were
unintentional (84%), occurred at home (68%), involved males (56%), and comprised
children and adolescents (64%). Risk factors for pepper spray exposure varied by
patient age. Although 85% of the pepper spray exposures were managed outside of
health care facilities, 97% of exposures involved at least minimal notable
clinical effects. Given the level of detectable clinical effects of this
intervention and the widespread availability of these agents, there is a need
for better education of the public regarding the proper use of pepper spray and
the effects of its use. |