What is SHU?

The Scoville Heat Units (SHU) scale was devised by Wilbur Scoville in 1912 as a measure of the hotness of a chile pepper.  The SHU scale in regards to pepper spray indicates the amount of oleoresin capsicum (OC) present, but more importantly the heat and thus irritation the pepper spray delivers.  Pepper spray comes in variety of dilution percentages generally between 2% to 18% featuring Scoville Heat Units (SHU) from 2 million SHU to 5.3 million SHU.  A one second blast of 2 million SHU to the face of an assailant will induce immediate coughing, choking and nausea as well as dilating the eye capillaries resulting in diminished vision.  In addition, 2 million SHU pepper spray causes the attackers mucous membranes to swell resulting in difficulty in breathing and causes an intense burning skin sensation.  The 5.3 million SHU pepper spray will deliver even more accelerated and stronger results.  In addition, a higher rated SHU pepper spray will require less accuracy in the delivery of the spray during an attack.  A one second blast of 2 million to 5.3 million SHU pepper spray delivers you from harms way and can affect an attacker for up to 60 minutes without causing permanent damage.

History of Pepper Spray

Derived from the cayenne pepper plant, oleoresin capsicum (OC) or pepper spray first came to prominence via the US Postal Service in the early 1980’s as a dog repellent.  By the end of the decade the FBI and other law enforcement agencies had introduced pepper spray to their field operatives as a non-lethal weapon ideal in subduing crime suspects.  Today pepper spray is successfully used by millions of law enforcement and non-law enforcement people in the US and throughout the world.

How Pepper Spray works

Pepper spray is simply that, cayenne pepper in spray form. Pepper spray’s active ingredient is OC or oleoresin capsicum.  The OC is derived from Cayenne peppers, which are some of the hottest peppers in the world.  Extraction of oleoresin capsicum OC from peppers involves finely ground capsicum, then the capsaicin is extracted in an organic solvent such as ethanol.  The solvent is then evaporated, and the remaining waxlike resin is the oleoresin capsicum.  Pepper Spray OC is a highly inflammatory agent.  Contact with eyes, nose, throat and lungs cause immediate dilation of the capillaries.  This can result in temporary blindness and instant inflammation of the breathing tube tissues and systematically cuts of all but life support breathing.  Pepper spray will also create an intense burning sensation on the surface of the skin.  However, pepper spray will cause no lasting after effects.  The effects last from 15 to 60 minutes.  Because pepper spray an inflammatory agent and not an irritant it is effective on those who feel no pain such as those under the influence of drugs or alcohol.