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)