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Sterile Sewage for Riot Control

Yes, just as gross as you thought it would be.
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(+6, -1)
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A very simple idea.

Take raw, untreated human effluent.

Pass it through a plant where it is thoroughly radiation-sterilised, completely destroying all viruses, bacteria, algae etc. etc. and partially de-naturing many proteins, thus destroying toxins.

It will still stink, because of all the skatols etc.

You now have a revolting, disgusting slurry which is in fact not a health hazard.

When required, spray said slurry at or over rioters, using a hose and nozzle, from a pressurised tank. The pipework and nozzle need to be of suitable diameter so as not to break up the lumps too much; similarly, the pressurised tank means no pump is necessary.

If the rioters persist, switch to untreated sewage.

8th of 7, Feb 26 2012

http://www.youtube....watch?v=pgUwpb3I98M [2 fries shy of a happy meal, Feb 26 2012]

Putrescine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Putrescine
The stench of death. Literally. [Alterother, Feb 27 2012]

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       By a strange coincidence, when I clicked on this to read it I happened to glance at the Halfbakery tagline. It said, "chewable." I flipped out.
Psalm_97, Feb 26 2012
  

       Fills a much needed gap. Unlike tear gas, it not only clears the streets, it keeps them cleared, for as long as the stink lasts. Advantageous in some situations, less so in others.   

       Once a few neighborhoods have been exposed to the SSRC, it'll be possible to charge extortionate rates for the cleanup kit. Mouseposture Industries (Stg.) had that idea, but the IP department discovered that all the relevant patents are already owned by BorgCo.
mouseposture, Feb 26 2012
  

       Why save it for riots?
MaxwellBuchanan, Feb 26 2012
  

       How can you differentiate the results from any other Occupy encampment?
Grogster, Feb 26 2012
  

       This is somewhat baked in the form of synthetic putrescine (and derivatives thereof), which, although I believe it is classified as a chemical weapon, occasionally crops up in NLW and riot-control discussions. Unsubstantiated rumor has it that US Special Forces sometimes use it for structure clearance or area denial.
Alterother, Feb 27 2012
  

       //How can you differentiate the results from any other Occupy encampment?//   

       By the number of people falling ill from untreated sewage at all the other ones.
Psalm_97, Feb 27 2012
  

       "Pass it through a plant where it is thoroughly radiation-sterilised, completely destroying all viruses, bacteria, algae etc. etc.," and it's still a humdinger of what microbiologists call a nutrient broth (and those are sold to microbiologists sterile...). Microbiologists work in a sterile field. Open the can in a police station or at a protest and it becomes non-sterile instantaneously.
LoriZ, Feb 27 2012
  

       This would rapidly turn into something more similar to ordinary sewage, although it might not be very similar as not all microbes are found everywhere, i.e. outside the body. Still a major health hazard and still full of endotoxins.
nineteenthly, Feb 27 2012
  

       Given the smell I think you'd find internal microbes quickly externalized.
FlyingToaster, Feb 27 2012
  

       // Open the can in a police station or at a protest and it becomes non-sterile instantaneously. //   

       Yup, that's the idea.   

       Safety advice: "Go home and wash, right now"
8th of 7, Feb 27 2012
  

       The thing is, that riots happen because some faction want a fight. Given that, I would have thought that escalating the situation is probably the very last thing you want to do.   

       For example, police cavalry charges may work against the un-prepared, but if *I* were organising a violent protest[1] where that were a standard response - I'd have pikemen.   

       Fo many escalations the obvious response is not to go on riots of course - but what would they do *instead*?   

       [1] to be clear: I'm not.
Loris, Feb 27 2012
  

       //some faction want a fight//

The security forces, normally. Push a few people about, crowd them together, people get angry, sparks fly and the security force have their excuse to start making arrests. It's a tried & trusted formula.

Pikes would be good but are a bit difficult to conceal. Caltrops are more portable. I seem to recall that some were 'deployed' during the miners' strike, but I might be making that up.
DrBob, Feb 27 2012
  

       Boy, those would be some hard-to-clean paddy wagons at the end of the day. [+] for the fun factor, anyway.
shapu, Feb 27 2012
  
      
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