OpinionHealth officials must come clean about harmful effects of tear gas so Hong Kong can breathe easy again

The official downplaying of tear gas effects – comparing it to barbecue fumes, for example – is worrying, given the body of science warning of serious, even fatal, health risks

The recent switch from using US tear gas to Chinese-made canisters also makes it more urgent to answer the question of what exactly the city is being exposed to

4-MIN READ4-MIN

Published: 9:30am, 21 Dec 2019Updated: 10:06am, 21 Dec 2019

Though it is just weeks since I experienced tear gas, the memory of it is a bit of a blur. One minute, I was among a group watching riot police approach Central, the next, someone appeared beside me and threw a petrol bomb, prompting instant bangs as tear gas canisters were fired towards us. Along with the others, I headed for a side street.

I was just in time to escape the worst of the tear gas. Still, my eyes stung, there was a lingering acrid taste in my mouth and my throat felt unpleasantly dry.

Days before writing this article, I had a very different experience at a Sai Kung barbecue site, where around 100 schoolchildren lit charcoal and barbecued meat, overseen by teachers. None seemed flustered by the smoke.

This seems normal: tear gas is a chemical weapon; countless people enjoy barbecues. But, remember that earlier this month, Welfare Secretary Law Chi-kwong replied to a question about tear gas safety by saying it only causes mild respiratory and skin irritations. “In fact, when compared with dioxins resulting from our barbecue activities, I think the level is indeed very minimal,” he added.

This followed Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee saying the government had found no evidence that tear gas can cause dioxin poisoning, and the police have been sourcing safe ammunition. She also noted that people exposed to tear gas generally experience mild respiratory and skin irritations.

Was Professor Chan, formerly director of research at Hong Kong University's School of Nursing, being economical with the truth? Even a simple review of scientific research on tear gas effects reveals they can be far more serious, even fatal, on top of the dangers of being struck by the canister.