Copyright The New York Times
Federal agents carrying out President Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration have repeatedly clashed with protesters and bystanders across the Chicago area in recent weeks. Sometimes, the agents have used tear gas, drawing criticism and bringing new attention to the chemical irritant that has been used by American law enforcement officers for decades. Generally, police officials say tear gas can help bring unruly crowds under control without hand-to-hand violence between officers and demonstrators, and with a lower risk of serious injury. But the chemicals can also have serious health effects, and police agencies have often been accused of using tear gas without justification or without giving sufficient warnings. Here’s what you should know about tear gas: Tear gas has been used for decades. Tear gas is a generic term referring to several chemicals that cause people to experience burning and excessive tearing in their eyes, along with other symptoms.
