Use as smoke agent

Smoke grenades, called hexachloroethane smoke or HC smoke, utilize a mixture containing roughly equal parts of hexachloroethane and zinc oxide and approximately 6% granular aluminium. These smokes are toxic, which is attributed to the production of zinc chloride (ZnCl2).[8][9] According to Steinritz et al., "Due to its potential pulmonary toxicity," zinc chloride producing smoke grenades "have been discharged from the armory of most western countries (...)."[10]

Use as a riot control agent

Most documented uses of HC smoke as a riot control agent have occurred in the United States; its purchase towards that end has occurred in Milwaukee, Denver and Portland.[11]

Federal Protective Services (FPS) and forces from the Department of Homeland Security are believed to have used HC smoke grenades against protesters during various protests in 2020.[12] At the time, journalists photographed numerous smoke canisters labeled "HC", and measured unusually high levels of zinc and chloride in the area. However, FPS communications director Rob Sperling has denied the use of HC smoke, arguing that, of the two organizations, "FPS doesn't have any items that contain HC."[13]

Toxicity

Hexachloroethane is not particularly toxic when taken orally,[14] but is considered to be quite toxic by skin adsorption. The primary effect is depression of the central nervous system.[3] The concentration that is immediately dangerous to life or health is 300 ppm and the permissible exposure limit according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is 1 ppm (skin).[14] It is reasonably anticipated to be a carcinogen.[15]

dutch777

(4,912 posts)

2. Sounds like domestic terrorists to me. Anyone looking at class action lawsuits and restraining orders?

Reply to Coldwater (Original post)

Fri Jan 16, 2026, 10:13 AM

5 hrs ago

bluestarone

(21,297 posts)

3. Worst part is whose to blame? How to blame?

Reply to Coldwater (Original post)

Fri Jan 16, 2026, 10:17 AM

5 hrs ago

What can be done to even investigate this? Jesus Christ people are fucking stupid to continue allowing masks on these terrorists.

Coldwater

(981 posts)

5. Congress needs to act

Reply to bluestarone (Reply #3)

Fri Jan 16, 2026, 10:28 AM

5 hrs ago

but they won't because it's controlled by MAGA rightwing ideologues

jaymac

(260 posts)

4. Jesus wept

Reply to Coldwater (Original post)

Fri Jan 16, 2026, 10:27 AM

5 hrs ago

all that hate filled manosphere on line Limbaugh, beck, rogan smith, all that right wing Fox News psychobabble....that's how we got here.......

Coldwater

(981 posts)

6. Rush Limbaugh's legacy reads:

Reply to jaymac (Reply #4)

Fri Jan 16, 2026, 10:36 AM

5 hrs ago

He was detained at Palm Beach International Airport after authorities found a bottle of Viagra in his bag after returning home from a vacation (picking up male prostitutes) in the Dominican Republic.

Timeflyer

(3,701 posts)

7. "Chloro-" chlorine. And they're OK with using it on American citizens. Nazis.

Reply to Coldwater (Original post)

Fri Jan 16, 2026, 10:43 AM

4 hrs ago

BTW, to call Congress re: this and all the fascist BS--- 1-202-2243121.

bronxiteforever

(11,124 posts)

8. Kick and recommend.

Reply to Coldwater (Original post)

Fri Jan 16, 2026, 11:34 AM

4 hrs ago

Ol Janx Spirit

(761 posts)

9. Where are all of the outraged Republicans that once agreed that [checks notes]...

Reply to Coldwater (Original post)

Fri Jan 16, 2026, 11:56 AM

3 hrs ago

...“[t]he nine most terrifying words in the English language are 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'”

But now federal agents are invading cities and states to just "do their job" and "help" fight crime by deporting your neighbors?

Where are all of those "states' rights;" government should be so small you can drown it in a bathtub Republicans now?

I guess they are trying to make that old quote from Ronny Ray Gun true after all....

It is terrifying.

Moostache

(11,011 posts)

10. Two things...

Reply to Coldwater (Original post)

Fri Jan 16, 2026, 11:57 AM

3 hrs ago

1) Release the goddamn Trumpstein files already.

2) Boycott the 2026 World Cup matches because they are going to be a magnet for protests and violence from ICE and Trump's Gestapo SS thugs.

If I were foreign, there is ZERO CHANCE I would come to the USA and risk being hit with chemical weapons and arrest for the appearance of my skin tone or the imbeciles in charge of this shithole country at the moment.

I would also push really hard on the IOC to move the 2028 Olympics out of Los Angeles and to Mexico City or Toronto.

haele

(15,112 posts)

12. 2026 World Cup unlikely to happen.

Reply to Moostache (Reply #10)

Fri Jan 16, 2026, 12:15 PM

3 hrs ago

Or if it does, there won't be any crowds of spectators. Maybe lots of National Guard or DHS to ensure a "peaceful event", but very few actual visitors
Just hoping people didn't buy tickets early, because with the militarization of US law enforcement and politics, fewer people are going to want to go out and risk being caught up in protests or worse, political roundups and hit squad actions.

RetiredParatrooper

(87 posts)

13. A point of interest

Reply to Coldwater (Original post)

Fri Jan 16, 2026, 12:43 PM

2 hrs ago

HC was/is also used for screening purposes and can be deployed by field artillery shells and hand grenades.

This is NOT saying that it will be done, it is merely how I came to be acquainted with HC smoke during my says as an Army Forward Observer.

BidenRocks

(2,825 posts)

14. NBC Warfare

Reply to Coldwater (Original post)

Fri Jan 16, 2026, 01:24 PM

2 hrs ago

We won't be using the N part.

They have started with the Chemical attacks. Do they realize we have access to chemistry books?
Bleach and ammonia? Nasty. A quick internet search lists many things which never should be mixed.
They started it. Even if they had masks, they will have failed the first step! (GAS! Quit breathing and put your mask on). These untrained yahoos will take that last breath first.

Finally Biological. Peaceful protests with all measles, flu and Covid cases up front greeting the SS. They are choosing to be near you. Cough a lot! I doubt the masks are N1. Spread the word.

Sheeple? Are they in for a surprise! Uncle Sam trained us to kill to protect the Constitution.
Upscale the violence at your own risk!

Pray for peace but prepare for war!

THIS IS NOT A DRILL!

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