Protesters brush off effects of tear gas with toothpaste
Protesters brush off effects of tear gas with toothpaste
JAKARTA (JP): Standing face to face with street protesters
these days, security personnel could be forgiven for mistaking
them for stereotypical Native American warriors due to the white
lines running below their eyes.
These white lines are made of toothpaste, and are not there
for decorative purposes. Instead, this toothpaste "makeup" is
meant to protect protesters from the effects of tear gas.
"I never leave home without it now," Ari, a student at
Indonesia Christian University in East Jakarta, said.
Told by friends about the use of toothpaste to minimize the
impact of tear gas, Ari carried a tube of toothpaste when he
joined demonstrations to pressure the People's Consultative
Assembly to reject President B.J. Habibie's accountability
speech.
"Previously, I only got ready (for demonstrations) with
mineral water and a towel to protect my eyes from tear gas. But I
found out that toothpaste is much simpler to use," he said.
He said it was necessary for student protesters to take
precautions against tear gas since they did not have protective
masks like the security personnel.
"If we don't protect ourselves against the tear gas, it's the
same as giving ourselves up to the security officers... Once
the tear gas explodes near us, it's difficult for us to see
anything. Then the officers can easily beat or arrest us," he
said.
Tear gas -- first introduced as a chemical warfare agent
during World War I by the Germans -- causes eye pain and an
excessive flow of tears. It is generally used in canisters or
shells, with the tear gas being released upon explosion. The main
use of tear gas is to disperse mobs.
Another student protester, Michael Stephen Wenzen of Atma
Jaya, also applies toothpaste below his eyes to protect himself
against the effects of tear gas. "The toothpaste makes your eyes
feel fresh..."
However, he said he did not leave the toothpaste on his face
for more than an hour. "I saw the skin of one of my friends get
very red after he used toothpaste under his eyes, maybe due to
irritation or because he has very sensitive skin."
According to physician Agus Purwadianto, there is no evidence
that toothpaste actually reduces the effects of tear gas.
He said it is safe enough to apply toothpaste to the skin. "It
will not pose any risks, unless a person has very sensitive
skin." If the toothpaste accidentally gets into the eyes, he said
it would not damage the mucous membrane in the eyes.
"But I suggest the user be careful. Although both the eyes and
the mouth have mucous membranes, the one in the eyes is more
sensitive... And considering that some (chemical) substances
are used to make toothpaste, in order to give it a fresh aroma,
for example, it's safer not to keep the toothpaste on for very
long." (ste)