Skin injuries caused by new riot control agent used against civilians on the West Bank

Abstract

A new riot control agent, used by the Israeli army against civilians protesting about the Separation Wall on the West Bank, has been reported as causing severe skin injuries. We obtained one of the munitions and have identified the contents as capsaicin with an inert carrier and a dispersal agent. This corresponds to the commercially available ‘Pepperball Tactical Powder’. Skin injuries of the severity described have not previously been reported with this agent, and would be difficult to manage for clinicians who were unaware of the nature of the agent.