Other ingredients

• Aside from the active ingredient Oleoresin Capsicum, non-active ingredients serve as a base for the spray. These non-active ingredients may be water or oil-based, depending on the manufacturer.
  
  

Effects

• When attacked, victims can spray this product directly into the face of a would be attacker. The result will be temporary blindness, burning, inflammation, pain and difficulty breathing.
  
  

Potential

• Law enforcement officers may also use pepper spray to contain resistant suspects or for riot control.
  
  

Time Frame

• Anyone who has been sprayed by pepper spray will experience the effects of the spray for anywhere between 30 and 45 minutes.
  
  

Types

• Pepper spray comes in a variety of containers and applicators including key chain sized spray bottles and containers that have the appearance of lipsticks, pens, pagers and batons.
  
  

Considerations

• Pepper spray is a legal method of self defense in all 50 states, although some states do apply certain restrictions.