French Police Deploy Thousands of Tear Gas Grenades
Thousands of women in France report severe menstrual disruptions after police deployed tear gas at recent protests, nos.nl reported.
Minister of Interior Nunez stated that officers fired 22,000 tear gas canisters against demonstrators during protests on Oct. 17 against the state of education and rising living costs.
Collective Rises After Protests
Eva Luna Tholance founded the collective Lacrymos de sang on Oct. 8 after hearing accounts of irregular menstrual symptoms from women exposed to the chemical agent.
More than 10,000 women across France have reported similar experiences to the collective. Tholance said she felt shocked by the scale of the reports.
“Women experience light pain to the worst cramps of their lives, but also severe blood loss, forcing some to go to the hospital,” Tholance stated.
The collective also received messages from women who did not attend demonstrations but encountered the gas while walking dogs or opening windows.
Social Media Accounts Detail Severe Pain
Demonstrators shared their symptoms across platforms like TikTok and Instagram following recent clashes. One young woman described experiencing severe cramps roughly 28 hours after police deployed tear gas at an Oct. 17 protest.
Another participant reported an unexpected, highly painful period starting the day after a demonstration. Medical remedies failed to ease the pain sufficiently to allow her to leave bed.
Toxicologists Urge Caution
Eric Franssen, a special professor of clinical and forensic toxicology at the University of Amsterdam, called the reports serious. However, he remains cautious about establishing a direct causal link without further research.
Franssen explained that tear gas disperses as a powder irritating nerves and mucous membranes, which causes tearing, itching, blistering, or allergic reactions.
Past studies, including a 2020 Scottish university project examining Yellow Vest demonstrations and two American studies from 2021 and 2023, previously suggested links between tear gas exposure and menstrual irregularities.
Stress Factors Complicate Medical Data
Franssen noted that adrenal surges and stress from police confrontations during protests can also disrupt menstrual cycles. This makes drawing definitive conclusions difficult due to overlapping bodily factors.
Minister Nunez defended the police tactics in parliament last week, stating that officers must defend themselves when attacked. Nunez added that he was unaware of any harmful nature regarding tear gas and refused to suspend its use.
Questions About Tear Gas Usage and Menstrual Disruptions
What types of tear gas are used by law enforcement in France?
Authorities primarily deploy CS gas, according to toxicology Eric Franssen. This specific chemical agent irritates human nerves and mucous membranes.
How many women have contacted the Lacrymos de sang collective?
More than 10,000 women from across France have submitted personal experiences regarding menstrual disruptions to the organization founded by Eva Luna Tholance.
Did the French government agree to suspend tear gas usage?
Interior Minister Nunez declined to suspend the tactic, defending police deployment during demonstrations and stating he was unaware of long-term harmful effects.
What did prior international studies indicate about tear gas?
Research conducted in Scotland and subsequent studies in the United States indicated that a majority of surveyed respondents experienced increased cramps and heavier bleeding following exposure.
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