Aerko International
3410 NE 5th Avenue
Oakland Park, FL 33334
In 1969, Aerko International Corporation (A.I.C.) began to function as a
contract aerosol packager. One of the original products produced was a
aerosol spray designed to fit into a small flashlight that could be carried
by people to defend themselves from vicious dogs or people. The active
ingredient used, Oleoresin Capsicum (OC), is a red pepper oil intended to
cause coughing, a burning sensation on the skin, and watering in the eyes.
OC was used because the spray was expected to be used most often on dogs
which are not normally bothered by traditional tear gas.
Efforts to sell the device called Nebulizer were not successful. By 1975
sales dwindled to nearly zero.
Twenty-Five years ago a citizen's safety group approached Aerko
International to develop a self defense spray for the group's distribution
network. As development began, several specific characteristics were evident
as needed features of the new unit.
Obviously the most important aspect of the product was effectiveness.
Active ingredients chloracetophenone (CN) and orthochlorobenzalmalonitrile
(CS) were tested.
-CN is classified as lachrymator, attacking tear ducts causing eyes to water and have a burning sensation.
-CS is classified as an irritant because as well as causing the tearing, the eyes experienced severe burning, nerve endings were stimulated, mucous membranes secrete freely, and the feeling of restricted breathing occurs.
As well as having all the more drastic effects, military tests conducted in
the United States and Great Britain indicated the incapacitating amount of
CS to be significantly smaller than the amount of CN required to achieve the
same effect. Also, the estimated lethal level of CN is much lower than the
estimated lethal level of CS thus CS is a safer irritant. CS was the obvious
choice.
The product was also developed to shoot a coherent amiable stream instead
of a misty spray pattern seen with most aerosols. This was not an easy task
but seemed necessary in order to deliver the incapacitating amount of
material to the attacker without worry of blow back to the user or missed
target due to wind current.
The product was formulated to be sprayed directly on the face.
The solvent carrier was chosen for its characteristics of defatting the skin and quick
penetration. It also delivers an invisible dye to the skin cells of the
face. The dye becomes visible under ultra violet lamps for up to 48 hours.
An ultra violet dye was chosen over visual dye so the subject would not know
he's marked.
Finally the product was developed utilizing a liquefied propellant
system. The liquid, after injection into the can, boils to maintain constant
pressure in the can. The action occurs after every use and assures the
ballistic characteristics of the product's last shot.
Compressed gasses such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen used as propellant
in other products exhibit reduced velocity and spray pattern as the units
empty. This is no longer the case with our modern propellant system.