"People exposed to teargas or other crowd-control chemicals during recent Gaza and immigration protests say the toxic substances have caused long-lasting health effects, including disrupting their menstrual cycles and inducing hormone imbalances, according to accounts collected by the Guardian and reports from protesters in Michigan and Los Angeles. More than a dozen people across three protests reported the health effects. Among other issues, they say they have experienced intense cramping and increased bleeding during menstruation, along with irregular menstrual cycles, weight gain and fatigue."
"They say they are developing a study in partnership with a U-M PhD student examining health problems stemming from the use of Deep Freeze, a substance combining teargas and pepper spray, to break up a Gaza protest encampment at the University of Michigan in May 2024. I feel like my body is failing me and I'm out of touch with it, Lewis said."
Exposure to teargas and other crowd-control chemicals at Gaza and immigration protests linked to long-lasting health effects, including disrupted menstrual cycles and hormone imbalances. More than a dozen people across three protests reported intense cramping, heavier bleeding, irregular cycles, weight gain and fatigue after exposures in 2024 and 2025. A 2021 study found at least 900 women exposed to high teargas levels during a Portland protest experienced similar reproductive health problems. Protesters are developing a study with a U-M PhD student on health problems tied to Deep Freeze, a teargas-and-pepper-spray mixture used at a May 2024 encampment. Few regulations govern these substances despite EPA findings linking heavy exposure to cancer and organ damage.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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