Shabana Azmi gets an asthma attack after tear gas exposure: The distress it puts on body

Youngsters, celebrities, parents and activists from across the country are pouring into the Cockroach Janta Party's student protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Among them was actress Shabana Azmi. However, a few days ago, she fell ill while at the protest site and had to leave the place. Many rumoured that she experienced dizziness, but she dismissed the rumours and clarified what had happened. Azmi revealed that she is an asthmatic and she had an attack due to exposure to tear gas. Fortunately, she had her inhaler with her, and therefore, she was. Tear gas has been used at the protest site on multiple occasions to disperse the youth movement in the past few days.

Though tear gas is a non-lethal chemical irritant that is only to be used as a last resort, with minimum force, reports indicate that police are using many additional shells on demonstrators at Jantar Mantar. The gas can cause severe suffocation, chest tightness, excessive mucus, and intense coughing upon exposure, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It also causes blurred vision, burning, and excessive tearing. In some people, it can also cause vomiting and nausea. The American Lung Association says the gas can also severely inflame our airways and cause bronchoconstriction, or airway narrowing.

Additional risk, if asthmatic
If a person has asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), they are at a higher risk of respiratory failure when exposed to tear gas. Therefore, if there is a risk of tear gas exposure, such individuals should always have their emergency rescue inhalers with them, along with a backup inhaler. Experts also advise carrying medical IDs or wristbands indicating that you are asthmatic, so that people around you can identify your condition quickly and help if required.

Do masks help?
According to the American Thoracic Society, simple cloth or surgical masks will not block chemical gases such as tear gas. Instead, they can trap the irritant gas particles and worsen your respiration. However, a properly fitted N95 mask can reduce risk. A gas mask with a proper respirator and filter can also be helpful. Wearing tight-fitting goggles and avoiding contact lenses are also important to keep your eyes safe from tear gas exposure.