Authors' objectives: To determine if there is any impact on human health from the use of pepper spray.

Authors' results and conclusions: One-hundred, twenty-seven published studies were identified from the above search. Upon examination on the titles and abstracts of these one-hundred, twenty-seven studies, twelve studies were thought to be relevant and were retrieved in full for further appraisal. A manual search on the references of the studies that were retrieved in full yielded further eighteen studies that were retrieved in full. Hence, overall, there were thirty studies that were retrieved in full. Of the thirty studies that were retrieved in full, fourteen studies will not be discussed further since either they were not relevant to the objective of this systematic review, did not provide any relevant data, or did not provide any other study besides those already identified in the literature search. The information provided from the fifteen relevant studies are summarized below. This systematic review identified numerous potential adverse health events, from mild (which are frequently reported) to potentially severe, associated with oleoresin Capsicum (OC), the main ingredient in pepper spray, exposure in any circumstances. Exposure to OC can cause health events due to contact with skin, eyes, mucous membranes or as a result of inhalation or ingestion. Even though it is rare, potential death in the proximity of OC exposure has been reported.

Authors' methods: A comprehensive and systematic literature search was conducted in May 2, 2023. The search was done on commercial medical literature databases using a combination of key words. No limitation, such as on the language or year of publication, was implemented in this search. A manual search was also conducted on the references of the articles that were retrieved in full.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/about-us/research-services/evidence-based-medicine-and-systematic-reviews

Year Published: 2023

URL for published report: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-care-providers/guides/effect-of-pepper-spray-on-human-health?lang=en

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Mini HTA

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: WorkSafeBC

Contact Address: 6591 Westminster Highway, Richmond, BC, V7C 1C6 Canada. Tel: 604-231-8417; Fax: 604-279-7698

Contact Name: ebpg@worksafebc.com

Contact Email: ebpg@worksafebc.com

Copyright: WorkSafe BC