OC is commonly called pepper spray; what type of agent is it?

• A. Chemical Irritant
• B. OC Gas
• C. Mace
• D. Pepper Spray

Answer: (D)

OC stands for oleoresin capsicum, the capsaicinoid in pepper spray. This agent is used as a self-defense spray and causes temporary irritation of eyes, skin, and mucous membranes to deter an attacker. Because OC is the active ingredient in pepper spray, the common way people refer to it is pepper spray itself. It isn’t actually a gas—it's delivered as an aerosol spray with tiny droplets—so calling it OC gas isn’t precise. Mace is a brand name that has become a generic term for pepper spray, but the standard category people use is pepper spray. So the best answer is pepper spray because that name directly describes OC as the product form that delivers the inflammatory, irritating effects.