Arema vs Persebaya Tragedy, This is the Explanation of a Lecturer at UM Surabaya on the Dangers of Tear Gas

• 02 Oct
• 2022

Ilustrasi gambar kerusuhan (tribun)

Arema vs Persebaya Tragedy, This is the Explanation of a Lecturer at UM Surabaya on the Dangers of Tear Gas

• Article
• By Uswah Sahal
• Social
• (0) Comments
• (13706) Views

The Arema FC vs Persebaya Surabaya match in the 2022-2023 League 1 event at Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang Regency on Saturday (1/10/22) claimed hundreds of lives. The defeat of the home team Arema FC 2-3 to Persebaya Surabaya made the supporters take to the field after the match ended.

To keep the players safe, security forces fired tear gas to disperse the crowds that descended onto the field. Unfortunately, due to the tear gas, the supporters experienced shortness of breath and not a few of them fainted while scrambling to leave the stadium area.

Dede Nasrullah, a lecturer at the Faculty of Health Sciences (FIK) UM Surabaya, responded directly to this. According to him, tear gas contains 3 groups of chemicals, one of which is often used is chloroacetophenone, abbreviated as CN, and chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile, or abbreviated as CS.

"Direct exposure to these chemicals can cause irritation to the eyes, respiratory system and skin," explained Dede.

Dede explained that this CS compound is usually formulated with several chemicals, especially the solvent methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) which is used as a carrier. This CS compound is related to nerve receptors which can cause pain, when tear gas is exposed to the skin, especially on the face and eyes, it will cause a feeling of soreness and pain.

“Besides that, tear gas can also cause itching of the skin, heat, and blurred vision. Other symptoms that are related to breathing can be experienced, such as difficulty breathing, coughing, nausea and vomiting," he said again.

In a written statement, Dede explained the handling that could be done. First, when exposed to tear gas, a person can flush with clean running water because this water can reduce the concentration of the CS compound in the formulation.

Both cover your nose, eyes and mouth tightly by using a mask to minimize the inhalation of the gas.

Third, immediately change clothes that have been contaminated and do not get exposed/touch the limbs.

The four immediately moved away from the area affected by the tear gas.

Fifth, seek medical help, if there are still effects from tear gas 20 minutes later or if you experience shortness of breath, seek medical assistance immediately.

Dede considers that the security using tear gas is a violation of the FIFA security code of ethics, especially the impact of the tear gas, with the stadium being very crowded and not conducive, the authorities should be able to take other security measures.

"Hopefully this incident can be a lesson for all of us so that football in Indonesia will be even better and there will be no similar incidents because in essence lives must be prioritized over everything else," concluded Dede.