Q: Disposing of old OC sprays

[IA_farmboy]

Last time I was at my parent's place my mom asked if I wanted an old OC spray bottle. I noticed on the bottom of the canister an expiration date that was partially worn off, what I could read indicates it expired sometime in 1997. I don't know what the shelf life of OC sprays are but I'm quite certain that this is well past its prime. I offered to take it off her hands only so she did not have to concern herself with disposing of it. She rediscovered it recently, and said it was left behind at their place by one of my sisters when in grad school.

By giving it a shake I can tell this thing is still quite full of fluid and likely has never been used. I have not even tried it myself as I have little idea what to expect. I've had to experience OC in the Army, I'm quite certain I don't want to recreate the experience.

Should I just chuck it in the trash? I thought about taking it to the rifle range and put a hole in it first but later thought that might not be a good idea. Is this thing even considered dangerous after so long?

[Loosedhorse]

Pick a reasonably windy day. Put up an IPSC or similar target downwind from you, and practice spraying. It's good practice, and allowed me to decide I really prefer fog sprayers to stream sprayers or foam sprayers.

After it's empty, either seal it in a plastic bag or wash it in your sink (to get the resin off), and toss it away. Good idea to wear (thin nitrile) gloves and glasses while practicing with it and and handling it. If you decide to keep that IPSC target, hose it off.

I once practiced with an expired can on a still summer's day. After I was done, a slight breeze picked up and blew the spray droplets (very diluted) back toward my open-windowed house. The coughing fits that ensued were memorable. So be careful when you spray that no neighbors are close-by, downwind.

[bigfatdave]

make po-po dispose of it for you ... maybe via a weapons buy-back?

[Lanius]

IMO, wrap it around with thermite, ignite that, throw into the annoying neighbor's dog's kennel..

[Freiheit]

Loosedhorse has the best practical, safe answer.

bigfatdave has the best politicialy motivated answer.

Lanius has the best answer.

[Treo]

I once practiced with an expired can on a still summer's day. After I was done, a slight breeze picked up and blew the spray droplets (very diluted) back toward my open-windowed house. The coughing fits that ensued were memorable. So be careful when you spray that no neighbors are close-by, downwind.

__________________


OK so I have to ask if it's still that potent why get rid of it?

[Freiheit]

OK so I have to ask if it's still that potent why get rid of it?

Anything under pressure or with a propellant may be less effective as it gets older. Its one thing if its a can of spray paint or lubricant, it is quite another if you find yourself relying on that OC spray to deal with an immediate problem.

For the OP, do you have a garden or bird feeders? As I recall OC spray only really works on mammals. Save it for the growing season and use it someplace you know the varmints are getting your crops and see if it keeps 'em out.

[nalioth]

OK so I have to ask if it's still that potent why get rid of it?

Generally, if the OC hasn't been used, it'll stay "good" for a long, long time after the "expiration date". All one needs to do is shake it up and it's G2G.

The reason given that most professionals get rid of their OC after a certain amount of time is that once it's been used once or twice, the probability of it not working after sitting is higher (through loss of propellant, gummy nozzle, etc)

Now, getting rid of CS spray that's been in your desk for years is another kettle of fish. CS is a chemical that degrades over time (OC is a natural substance, and doesn't degrade). This may be where folks get the mistaken idea of getting rid of unused OC canisters.

[Loosedhorse]

OC is a natural substance, and doesn't degrade

Butter is a natural substance, and it sure degrades over time. An "oleoresin" (oleo means oil, like the oils in butter) is a mixture of oil and resin, and oils oxidize (get rancid) over time; they are not inert.

I do understand that expiration dates may pass with the product still being quite usable (as shown by my experience with the expired spray). Some of us won't take antibiotics that are passed their expiration day, or keep fire-extingusihers where the pressure meter has fallen out of the green zone. Some of us will.

Your choice.

[nalioth]

Butter is a natural substance, and it sure degrades over time. An "oleoresin" (oleo means oil, like the oils in butter) is a mixture of oil and resin, and oils oxidize (get rancid) over time; they are not inert.

. . which is why folks throw out their OC canisters after they've been used and have sat a while. No oxygen can get into an unused can.

I do understand that expiration dates may pass with the product still being quite usable (as shown by my experience with the expired spray). Some of us won't take antibiotics that are passed their expiration day, or keep fire-extingusihers where the pressure meter has fallen out of the green zone. Some of us will.

Now you're mixing stuff up.

A fire extinguisher showing a loss of pressure should be replaced post-haste. The loss of pressure in the extinguisher has nothing to do with the efficacy of its contents, just the delivery of them.

"Expiration dates" (aka "use by" dates) on a lot of products are the result of lawyers & marketing folks. C'mon now, does vinegar go bad? How about salt?

[Loosedhorse]

No oxygen can get into an unused can.

You are implying that oxygen can get into a used can--why would that be, if it can't also get into an unused can? (BTW, oxygen is not the only oxidizer that can react with oils; nor is oxidation the only way in which oils can "degrade".)

You are also implying that the expiration dates are a fraud perpetrated on the police and the general public. Quite a conspiracy.

Oh yeah: all OC cans should (IMHO) be carried "used." There are such things as manufacturing defects. Just as I would not carry a gun I have never test-fired, or ammo in it that I have never test-fired, I'd want to make sure that canister I'm carrying actually does SOMETHING if I press the button. YMMV.

A fire extinguisher showing a loss of pressure should be replaced post-haste

Why? Why not suppose another conspiracy, where the gauges are made too sensitive, and the slight loss of pressure indicated by the gauge doesn't change the true effectiveness of the fire extinquisher at all.

BTW, I have "disposed" of unrefillable extinguishers that dropped out of the recommended pressure range by using them for practice and instructing my kids in their use. I didn't notice ANY problem with those extinguishers AT ALL...

CONSPIRACY! ()

C'mon now, does vinegar go bad? How about salt?

Just checked a couple of vinegar bottles--no expiration dates. The salt had a "best used by" date, which I suspect has to do with the facts that the package is not impervious to water vapor and that salt is hygroscopic. You don't want clumped salt? Don't purchase after the "best used by" date.

Let's cut to the chase: if you have data that shows that pepper-spray will be at full potency and full pressure (oh, pick a number) 10 years after the "expiration date" with me carrying it in my pocket most days, well, you've got something. Otherwise, you've got your opinion, contradicting the opinion of the manufacturers.

Who might actually know something about their product.

[nalioth]

Who might actually know something about their product.

. . or they might just want to sell more product, and figure to help that along with arbitrary "use by" dates.

[Lanius]

Capsicum in OC is the same as the one in chilli. In a pinch, a water pistol loaded with tabasco...

[IA_farmboy]

I did a little Google searching on proper disposal methods for OC spray. Many of the suggestions paralleled what was already suggested here. One unique suggestion that I'd consider is to discharge the spray while holding it underwater. The theory is the spray will dissolve into the water, eliminating any possibility of the OC getting into the air where it can drift into one's own face.

I also came across comments that the OC spray will degrade over time. A LEO mentioned that the sprays used by officers will be rotated out. The old spray canisters would be used in training and new ones issued for carry. He claimed that even three month old OC spray will have noticeably less "bite" than new.

I think I'll take it to the pistol range the next time I have a chance and see if it will even work after all this time. I'll proceed to use it for target practice. I'll try to pick a day when rain is in the forecast so that if the OC still has any "bite" left to it then it should wash away. I don't want to leave an annoying odor for the next shooters to deal with.

[nalioth]

I'll try to pick a day when rain is in the forecast so that if the OC still has any "bite" left to it then it should wash away. I don't want to leave an annoying odor for the next shooters to deal with.

It ain't that pervasive.

Any day with wind will be satisfactory to remove any "annoying odors" (just make sure you're [and anyone you don't want to dose are] upwind when you spray it).

[Steel Talon]

OC dissapates fairly quickly esp. when sprayed in the open.

You can check potency by spraying a bit into a large coffee can and take a whiff. Be careful if you're asthmatic. However, I still wouldn't trust it for a defensive situation. There are better mixtures available. Me, I like OC expanding foam.

Disposal is fairly easy, outside aim down wind invert can and discharge propellant, or use for pellet gun practice. Just be mindful of proximity of family, friends and neighbors

Wrap empty container, in news print etc. dispose of in trash. OC is bio degradable.

Being its pre 1997 the propellant is more than likely flammable so keep that in mind.

[Suwannee Tim]

You could carry it in your car and when someone tailgates you hang it out the window and let 'er rip. No. Bad idea.

[PawPaw]

It's pepper spray, a natural product. Chuck it in the garbage can, ain't gonna hurt a thing. If you want to empty it first, spray it downwind and don't worry about it.