Mónica Kräuter (born 18 September 1967) is a Venezuelan chemist and professor of the Simón Bolívar University. She gained notability during the 2017 Venezuelan protests due to her study of

tear gas Tear gas, also known as a lachrymatory agent or lachrymator (), sometimes colloquially known as "mace" after the Mace (spray), early commercial self-defense spray, is a chemical weapon that stimulates the nerves of the lacrimal gland in the ey ...

canisters and her advice on how to protect against its effects.

Career

Mónica Kräuter graduated as a chemist from Simón Bolívar University in 1993, and she obtained a master's degree in chemistry with an environment specialty in 2000 at Simón Bolívar University as well. She has been a professor of the university in the systems and processes department since her graduation. She carried out a study that involved the collection of thousands of tear gas canisters fired by Venezuelan authorities in 2014. She stated that the majority of canisters used the main component

CS gas The compound 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (also called ''o''-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile; chemical formula: C10H5ClN2), a cyanocarbon, is the defining component of the lachrymatory agent commonly referred to as CS gas, a tear gas which ...

, supplied by Cóndor of Brazil, which meets Geneva Convention requirements, but that 72% of the tear gas used was expired and other canisters produced in Venezuela by Cavim did not show adequate labels or expiration dates. Following the expiration of tear gas, she notes that it "breaks down into

cyanide In chemistry, cyanide () is an inorganic chemical compound that contains a functional group. This group, known as the cyano group, consists of a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom. Ionic cyanides contain the cyanide anion . This a ...

oxide,

phosgene Phosgene is an organic chemical compound with the formula . It is a toxic, colorless gas; in low concentrations, its musty odor resembles that of freshly cut hay or grass. It can be thought of chemically as the double acyl chloride analog of ...

s and

nitrogen Nitrogen is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol N and atomic number 7. Nitrogen is a Nonmetal (chemistry), nonmetal and the lightest member of pnictogen, group 15 of the periodic table, often called the Pnictogen, pnictogens. ...

s that are extremely dangerous". Kräuter has advised against the use of

vinegar Vinegar () is an aqueous solution of diluted acetic acid and trace compounds that may include flavorings. Vinegar typically contains from 5% to 18% acetic acid by volume. Usually, the acetic acid is produced by a double fermentation, converting ...

to neutralize the effects of tear gas since it is an

acid An acid is a molecule or ion capable of either donating a proton (i.e. Hydron, hydrogen cation, H+), known as a Brønsted–Lowry acid–base theory, Brønsted–Lowry acid, or forming a covalent bond with an electron pair, known as a Lewis ...

, instead recommending the use of

sodium bicarbonate Sodium bicarbonate ( IUPAC name: sodium hydrogencarbonate), commonly known as baking soda or bicarbonate of soda (or simply “bicarb” especially in the UK) is a chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3. It is a salt composed of a sodium cat ...

or antacids such as Maalox. In 2018 she was listed by Americas Quarterly as one of the ''10 People Who Will (One Day) Rebuild Venezuela.''

References

External links

BOMBAS LACRIMÓGENAS Y CÓMO PROTEGERSE
(Tear gas canisters and how to protect against them) by Prof. Mónica Kräuter {{DEFAULTSORT:Krauter, Monica Living people 1967 births Academic staff of Simón Bolívar University (Venezuela) 21st-century Venezuelan women scientists 21st-century Venezuelan scientists Simón Bolívar University (Venezuela) alumni Venezuelan women educators 2014 Venezuelan protests 2017 Venezuelan protests

Career

See also

References

External links