What you need to know about the Cleanup of Tear Gas

With the increased illegal drug dealing and crime activity here in Northeast Pennsylvania, especially in Hazleton PA, landlords and property managers are being subjected to damage and clean up from tear gas used by the Police and other law enforcement agencies.   This noxious substance can continue to cause problems even after months of its deployment without proper clean up.

One problem with teargas is that it doesn’t go away and will continue to off gas and cause respiratory issues and nasal, eye and mouth irritation.   There are several different types of tear gas currently used in the United States with each having its own characteristics and methods for cleaning.   The most common types of tear gas are CN, CS and CR.

These products irritate mucous membranes and are not a single product.   They are comprised of multiple compounds and cause coughing, pain, tearing eyes, sneezing and temporary blindness.   It’s important to know which type you are dealing with as “CN” is more toxic, requiring additional precautions.    Proper cleaning of CN should include the use of carbon filters for odor absorption, adequate ventilation and maintaining a room temperature of about 100 degrees (F).

When dealing with the “CS” type the rooms need to be kept cool to avoid spreading the gas.   CS is usually yellow in color, a fine powder, combined with a propylene glycol-based liquid and dispersed into the air.   A thorough vacuuming with proper ventilation and filtration needs to be performed.

“CR” gas is a possible carcinogen but considered less toxic if ingested or absorbed through the skin.   More powerful than the CS kind, CR is used less widely.

Other things to consider when you encounter this type of situation are the use of Personal Protective Equipment such as respirators, protective clothing and skin creams.   Sealing off and or cleaning of the HVAC system is a good idea too.

When cleaning and deodorizing the fabrics, area rugs, furniture and carpet, call Services Etcetera Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning for a free assessment at www.procleaner.biz.    Serving Berwick PA, Hazleton PA, Mountaintop PA, the Pocono Mountains and surrounding areas, we are an IICRC certified firm in “Odor Control” with Journeyman Textile Cleaners on staff.

With the increased illegal drug dealing and crime activity here in Northeast Pennsylvania, especially in Hazleton PA, landlords and property managers are being subjected to damage and clean up from tear gas used by the Police and other law enforcement agencies.   This noxious substance can continue to cause problems even after months of its deployment without proper clean up.

One problem with teargas is that it doesn’t go away and will continue to off gas and cause respiratory issues and nasal, eye and mouth irritation.   There are several different types of tear gas currently used in the United States with each having its own characteristics and methods for cleaning.   The most common types of tear gas are CN, CS and CR.

These products irritate mucous membranes and are not a single product.   They are comprised of multiple compounds and cause coughing, pain, tearing eyes, sneezing and temporary blindness.   It’s important to know which type you are dealing with as “CN” is more toxic, requiring additional precautions.    Proper cleaning of CN should include the use of carbon filters for odor absorption, adequate ventilation and maintaining a room temperature of about 100 degrees (F).

When dealing with the “CS” type the rooms need to be kept cool to avoid spreading the gas.   CS is usually yellow in color, a fine powder, combined with a propylene glycol-based liquid and dispersed into the air.   A thorough vacuuming with proper ventilation and filtration needs to be performed.

“CR” gas is a possible carcinogen but considered less toxic if ingested or absorbed through the skin.   More powerful than the CS kind, CR is used less widely.

Other things to consider when you encounter this type of situation are the use of Personal Protective Equipment such as respirators, protective clothing and skin creams.   Sealing off and or cleaning of the HVAC system is a good idea too.

When cleaning and deodorizing the fabrics, area rugs, furniture and carpet, call Services Etcetera Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning for a free assessment at www.procleaner.biz.    Serving Berwick PA, Hazleton PA, Mountaintop PA, the Pocono Mountains and surrounding areas, we are an IICRC certified firm in “Odor Control” with Journeyman Textile Cleaners on staff.