A shopkeeper in Moscow is the proud owner of a rather unique
scrapbook, containing scores of letters from grateful campers
and others whose lives may have been saved by pepper sprays
be re-assayed, sealed into drums and stored in a cool area. Each
supplier has its own proprietary process, which may differ from
this description. Final products may be in the area of 1,000,000
to 2,500,000 SHU.
Counter-assault protection
About 1965, some early aerosol entrepreneurs—such as Airosol
Co., Inc. in Neodesha, KS, with input from Dr. Lyle D.
Goodhue—determined that this newer packaging system could
be used for counter-assault protection. The active material
contained capsaicinoids from African Red Cayenne Pepper,
typically at 5% of the total formulas, using Oil of Capsaicinoid
(OC) with a potency of 2,000,000 SHU. Alternatively, 10% of
OC (1,000,000 SHU) could be used. To get the most effective
and desirable coarse spray, diluents were added. A favorite was
diethyleneglycol n-butyl ether. A bit of ethanol was sometimes
included to adjust viscosity and particle size. The propellant was
almost always CFC-12 (dichlorodifluoromethane), used at about 30–35%.
The aerosols were usually in the 75 to 150 gram size, with “wide open” valves that delivered a
relatively thin, coarse spray—usually with a small streaming core—at about 3–5 grams per second.
The 0.020" tubular or forward-tapered actuator orifice was instrumental in achieving the desired
spray. Some of these early formulas included about 0.005% of a lipophilic red dye, designed to
discolor the face of a would-be attacker for a prolonged period of time. The inclusion of about
0.010% Bitrex (denatonium benzoate extreme bittering agent) was considered, but does not appear
to have been used commercially. These early products were designed to be used by police officers
and carried in small leather pouches on their belts.
When chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were banned in 1978, the industry tried about 3.1% CO2, as
well as 25–40% of various hydrocarbon propellant blends. The higher pressure mixtures produced
a longer “throw.” However, flammability was a problem. Some purchasing groups had the opinion
that a human attacker or rioter might be smoking when sprayed, causing serious burns. This was
experimentally discounted, but still flammable pepper sprays were often only restricted to animal
targets.
When DuPont launched its Dymel 134a about 1995, it was almost immediately adopted for the
formulation of non-flammable counter-assault aerosol products. A proliferation of sizes followed.
One of the smallest aerosols was produced by the Spitfire Co. and aptly named “Spitfire.” Its
unique 9mm diameter aluminum
can held five grams of non-flammable
pepper spray. It was designed
with a cap having a top metal loop
to fit on a key-ring. The sales unit
contained an OC-free placebo
and a booklet with instructions on
how to practice by spraying targets;
it was marketed chiefly toward
women.
Bear market
At the opposite end of the pepper
spray spectrum are the bear repellants.
Extra-strong formulas are
typically packed in aluminum cans
with fill weights of at least 400
grams. Exceedingly high delivery
42 Spray September 2019
that he sold to them...
Partial listing of trade names
Many trade names are quite imaginative.
Those applied to counter-assault aerosols
are no exception. For example:
• Viper Venom
• Mad Dog Inferno Reserve
• Devil’s Revenge
• Capital Punishment
• Spitfire
• BodyGuard
• BearGuard
• PepperGas (Alaska Magnum Doggone)
• Secure (Organic Pepper Spray)
• TouchDown