Which gas is commonly referred to as pepper gas?

The gas commonly referred to as pepper spray is OC, which stands for Oleoresin Capsicum. This substance is derived from hot peppers and contains capsaicin, the active component that causes the burning sensation associated with pepper spray. OC is widely used as a non-lethal means of self-defense and law enforcement because it can incapacitate an individual temporarily by causing intense eye irritation, difficulty breathing, and disorientation.

In contrast, the other options refer to different types of chemical agents. CS (ortho-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile) is a synthetic compound used in riot control situations and is known for causing a severe burning sensation in the eyes and respiratory system, but is not based on natural pepper. DM (dichloroacetophenone) is similar to CS and also used for crowd control but is less common. CN (chloroacetophenone) is one of the first tear gas compounds developed and has also been used for crowd control, but it lacks the natural properties that characterize OC pepper spray. Understanding this distinction highlights why OC is the correct answer in this context.