1-19-21: Scientist Explains How HC Smoke Poisoned Portland

Good morning, I am at Lownsdale Square for a press conference with Dr. @JuniperLSimonis: “Cover-Ups of Health Risks Caused by Law Enforcement Munitions Smoke”

We begin with an acknowledgement that this land belongs to the indigenous people it was stolen from by @cozca503 and someone whose name I missed because I cannot be on time to anything, sorry

Both speak about the importance of water. This is about to be tragically relevant

Dr Juniper L. Simones begins to speak. They go over their extremely impressive credential list–two decades of experience and degrees in biology and ecology from Cornell University

All of the research we are about to hear about was self-funded

Dr. Simonis shows videos from @tuckwoodstock of tear gas and munitions smoke pumped into crowds

They speak about the many symptoms experienced by the people in those crowds: vomiting, difficulty breathing, chemical burns, hair loss, weight loss, etc

(Yours truly as well)

Dr Simonis points to the trees around us while they show us pictures of those trees from the summer, when they lost their leaves from being constantly exposed to these chemicals

They talk about tested levels of heavy metal toxicity from storm drains–drains that go to the Willamette river and poison salmon and those who eat them

These metals do not go away: they build up and stay there

Dr. Simonis discusses the history of HC smoke

It was originally developed after WWI to hide ships and make it more difficult for them to be hit by airplanes. It was NOT designed to be used as crowd control

“HC is a chemical reaction in a bottle.” The danger comes both from the reagents–one is which is an EPA-losted hazardous waste–and also the end product. 75% of the product is molten zinc chloride. Both the product and the fumes are highly toxic

We are interrupted by an F150 supercab who blares its horn for about 20 seconds, then drives off

Dr. Simonis takes us through a 1999 report from a correctional facility

The guards were conducting an exercise for dealing with hostage situations. They did not have a regular smoke bomb so they threw an HC munition instead

The munition ended up going off at their feet

This 1999 report includes a 1993 materials sheet of both reagents and produced chemicals from HC munitioms

A 2004 material sheets lists the same toxic ingredients

In 2008, the munitions company (Defense Technology) settled with the guards, who received a six-figure payout in compensation for a one-time exposure to the chemicals we breathed for months

After the settlement, the materials sheet changed. It no longer includes the most hazardous chemicals generates by HC munitions

The NFPA has rated HC munition with a 0 out of 4 health risk, even though its proven reagents have between 2-3 out of 4 health risk

The HC munition, which can and has killed people, is considered less dangerous but the NPFA than regular smoke

It makes absolutely no sense. Why is Defense Technologies lying about this? Why does it appear that HC smoke is the safest form of smoke, instead of the most dangerous?

Despite the known danger, police describe smoke used (which, recall, even regular smoke is 2/4 hazardous) as “inert smoke.” Media like @Oregonian uses this phrasing uncritically

Meanwhile the police describe things like paint balloons thrown by protesters as chemically hazardous

After the feds stopped heavily engaging at the end of July, HC use decreased dramatically. However, it was used at the ICE building as late as October

Denver activists have also recently reported use of HC smoke, which is on the inventory list for Denver police

During the DNC in Milwaukee, law enforcement bought 50 HC smoke grenades for crowd control

These munitions are available online, horrifically cheaply

Dr. Simonis warns people NOT to pour water on HC smoke munitions. They will explode

“I am scared for my friends in Denver, Milwaukee, and all across the country”

Tomorrow could also involve HC smoke. This continues to be an enormous problem. It will continue to hurt people

Dr. Simonis emphasizes the importance of avoiding HC smoke “unless you have full coverage.” The cannisters burn hot for about a minute. If you see that, GTFO

And again, do NOT pour water on HC munitions unless you want the big boom

Dr. Simonis is now taking questions

They predict ” significant” environmental impact. They tell us that in Norway, where HC gas was used heavily on WWII, had severe and lasting tree damage

HC effects bone growth in young salmon, leading to death and physical deformity

Long-term health effects? A buildup of chemicals in the liver and kidneys. Increased cancer rates

Great to look forward to that

Why does the HC gas seem to effect menstrual cycles? Many activists have reported severe cramps and shifted cycles

Dr. Simonis tells us that studies from the 1970s show that chemicals in tear gas messes with the endocrine system. Despite government pretenses, it’s well-known

It’s tear gas, not HC, that effects the endocrine system. That doesn’t mean HC isn’t harmful for people with uteruses. Dr. Simonis emphasizes that they are not a physiologist, but states that the chemical products could effect pregnancy

The biggest issue, Dr. Simonis emphasizes, is heavy metals, both to people and the environment. They build up, it’s hard to deal with this kind of pollution

They remind us how angry people get at factories that spew heavy metals. Now, federal agencies bring them directly to us

“This is a clarion call.” Researchers need to study the impact of these crowd control munitions. “We need scientists to break through the communications barrier”

They urge scientists to reach out: @JuniperLSimonis

Please help make this a thing of the past

A reporter asks Dr Simonis about how they have been impacted personally by this work

“It’s really traumatizing,” Dr. Simonis states. They were at home recovering from kidnapping by feds in unmarked vans when they learned their friends “were being attacked by some unknown weapon”

They talk about how they felt called to do this research and bring their considerable expertise to the problem

The repeated and horrible reports from activists of these symptoms was both horrifying and galvanizing

“This information needs to get out to people.” Doing this research helps them cope with the fact that HC smoke munitions are sold for $33 per munition for use against people exercising their first amendment rights

Advice for activists facing HC smoke?

Cover all your skin to prevent dermal uptake. If you get gas, don’t wash those clothes with your regular clothes. Pre-soak to get as much out as possible

Respirators and gas masks are ideal. Protect your eyes as well

If exposed to HC smoke, “water is your best friend.” A high-pressure hose works better than a shower

Keep track of when you were exposed and what you’ve been exposed to. Document your exposure. Symptoms may not appear right away, and it will help you “piece things back together”

What gas mask cartridges are ideal for tear gas and smoke?

Dr. Simonis emphasizes that they are not an expert on this, but recommends filters for organic compounds

“Even the filters aren’t going to stop everything.” Small molecules like sulphur dioxide can still get through

Really, only self-contained breathers fully protect from toxic crowd control munitions

The best thing to do is move away from these chemicals to get to fresh air. Do deep breathing. Get those chemicals out of your lungs as fast as you can

Dr Simonis concludes the press conference. Thank you @JuniperLSimonis for your tireless work

For more information, visit

https://www.chemicalweaponsresearch.com/hc

Epilogue: you can learn more about how extraordinarily qualified Dr. Simonis is to do this research here:

https://www.dapperstats.com/author/dr.-juniper-l.-simonis/

Originally tweeted by Laura Jedeed, Space Professional (@LauraJedeed) on January 19, 2021.