Research on using naturally extracted capsaicin to develop irritant smoke agents as alternatives to military-grade CS gas

Abstract

Development of the LĐO-24 training tear gas smoke grenade, which uses capsaicin extracted from chili peppers as a substitute for the military-grade toxic agent CS. The LĐO-24 is safer for humans and the environment compared to conventional tear gas grenades. It can be used in combat readiness training and gas mask testing. Experiments on the mixing ratio of smoke-producing and irritant components, similar to those in the LĐC-16 grenade, indicate that the LĐO-24 training grenade possesses similar features to the LĐC-16. It generates an airborne smoke layer that irritates the eyes and respiratory system, with an optimal capsaicin concentration of 10% in the smoke mixture, achieving a capsaicin concentration of 0,0036 mg/m³ in the smoke layer. This irritant concentration effectively causes eye and respiratory irritation while remaining safe for personnel during training. The capsaicin's persistence in the air decreases over time, with tear gas effects lasting between 120 and 180 seconds.