Liberation of hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen chloride during high-temperature dispersion of CS riot control agent

High temperature dispersion (greater than 700 degrees C) of the riot control agent orthochlorobenzylidenemalononitrile (CS) has previously been shown to produce a number of organic thermal degradation products through rearrangements and loss of cyano and chlorine substituents present on the parent CS compound. Until now the possibility that HCN and HCl might also be air contaminants produced during high temperature CS dispersion has not been examined. Air samples were collected to detect HCN and HCl as air contaminants released during high-temperature CS dispersion indoors. Sampling and analysis based on National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health methods 7904 and 6010 for HCN, and 7903 for HCl, showed evidence that both compounds were present in air samples collected. A reassessment of human health risks associated with exposure to CS riot control agent dispersed at high temperature should be conducted, and should consider the full range of contaminants produced during the dispersion process.