Orthochlorobenzylidenemalononitrile

Orthochlorobenzylidenemalononitrile ClC6H4CHCCN(CN)2

Color Code:	Blue
Agent State:	Micro-Particulate Solid
Classification:	Lacrimator, Irritant, Sternutator
Chemical:	Synthetic

Developed in 1928
LC50: 75,000 mg min/m3
ICt50: 10 mg min/m3
Takes effect in 3 to 10 seconds
Produces:
Tearing and lacrimation
Irritation of the skin
Irritation of the respiratory system, sneezing
No effect on animals
(Due to animals’ under-developed tear-duct and protection by fur)
No effects on alcohol or drug intoxicated individuals
(Pain Resistant)
Severe contamination problem; will attach to clothing, furnishings
Recovery: 10 minutes
Side or after effects: Causes dermatitis upon repeated exposure and serious allergic reaction
CS is an alkylating agent, and attaches to atoms of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur in protein DNA and RNA resulting in Cancer1
Shelf-life 3 years. Depends on humidity and packaging

For many years, CN was the most widely used agent by civil and military authorities. However, dissatisfaction with its potency and chemical instability led military scientists to search for alternative agents.

CS was first prepared in 1928 by two American chemists, Ben Corson and Roger Stoughton. (The CS initials were taken from the first letters of the names of the discoverers). However, it remained until 1956 for the British CBW laboratory at Porton Down, the Chemical Defense Experimental Establishment, to develop CS as a riot control agent.

CS was first used on a large scale by the British in the Cyprus riots. In 1960, CS was officially adopted by the United States Army for use in riots.

CS in its pure form is a white crystalline powder resembling talcum powder. It is classified as an irritant agent and lacrimator. Since it is made of solid particles, it must be carried through the air by an agent or expelled in a fine dust. The odor is rather pungent.

CS causes burning and lacrimation of the eyes as well as irritation of the skin and respiratory system. The burning effects of the eyes and skin will be similar to CN and the irritation of the respiratory system will result in sneezing. It could take many seconds before the effect of CS is realized. CS is most irritating in a humid climate and on a moist skin surface. Anyone who has lost his sense of feeling because of the influence of narcotics or alcohol will not be affected by CS.

CS is a lacrimator and sneeze producer at levels as low as 0.05 mg/m3 . The powder CS is designated CS1 and is much more durable than the aerosol form of the agent. As a further refinement, CS1 is coated with silicone to extend its field persistence up to several weeks; the weatherproofed variety is called CS2.

Decontamination of CS

Being extremely persistent, CS causes a severe area decontamination problem. Particles disseminated by any of the standard means of dispersion will adhere to the person, clothing, furnishings, or fixtures for long periods. Humid conditions will cause the odor and irritant effect to linger indefinitely.

Decontamination is achieved by using an alkaline solution. A solution of water and 5% sodium bisulfite is usually employed for decontamination.

Health Hazards of CS

CS is less toxic than CN and has only transient effects on the eyes. However, both CS and CN cause dermatitis and are sensitizers that may cause very serious allergic reactions upon repeated exposure.

If one M7 military type canister, which contains 115 grams of CS, is thrown into an area of 1 m2 x 10 m, this will result in an aerosol concentration of 11,500 mg/m3, i.e., a period of just over two minutes would result in death of half of the individuals exposed. Such burning-type grenades can be expected to volatilize about 80 per cent of the charge of CS; they will also produce smoke, generate carbon monoxide (itself a deadly respiratory poison), and cause oxygen depletion in the atmosphere. In this situation a mask will not afford a great deal of protection.

If CS penetrates to nerve tissue, there is a strong possibility that it can be attacked by the active nucleophilic oxygen atom at the serine residue of acetylcholine esterase. This enzyme is required to catalyze the hydrolysis of the acetylcholine formed in the nerve transmission process; it is the enzyme that is poisoned by nerve gas 1.

Toxicology of CS

Toxicological tests demonstrated that animals dying after exposure to CS show increased counts of goblet cells in the respiratory tract and conjunctiva (the mucous membrane in the eyes, lining the eyelid and covering part of the eyeball), necrosis (the death of cells) in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract, pulmonary edema (lungs filled with fluid), and hemorrhage in the adrenal. Death results from impaired oxygen transfer to the blood stream as a result of edema, hemorrhage, and obstruction of the air passages in the lungs.

In the case of a substance such as CS, attention must be directed to the breakdown products that will occur in the human body. Cleavage or hydrolysis into malononitrile and ortho-chlorobenzaldehyde is a reaction that is 50% complete in about ten minutes. The malononitrile is believed to suffer degradation to cyanide and thiocyanate whereas the remainder of the molecule is combined with glycine and excreted as ortho-chlorohippuric acid. Therefore malononitrile is a highly toxic substance found in CS. The mortal dose for a 150 pound person is estimated to be about a gram or less 1.

1 "Harvest of Death" by J.B. Neilands & Gordon H. Orians. Published by "Collier-Macmillan Limited", London, 1972.