According to the latest report by the Security Directorate, police had used up the entire tear gas stocks in their possession because of the increased use of it to disperse demonstrations.

Experts criticized police for using such a huge amount of gas whose effects on people have long been established. Many experts believe that the massive use of tear gas in the Kurdish cities is certain to have caused already some problems for people's health.

Chemical Engineering Chambers Ýstanbul Branch Chair Hikmet Camcý said: “I have difficulty to understand the fact that the use of tear gas is getting more common in Turkey, especially because other countries are trying to limit the use of tear gas. Those chemicals are certainly dangerous for people, especially if someone is often exposed to it. Regarding police in Turkey, - he added - I believe many activists have been already experiencing some health problems. Police need to use these kinds of toxic more carefully. But in the last two months tear gas have been used constantly.”

Camcý also stressed that a high number of people have been killed or seriously injured because of the use of tear gas.

According to the report, security forces used the entire annual stock of tear gas in just five months.

Many international reports proved that the ingredients in these tear gas are causing damages to people's health.

It has also been reported that some children are making a living by selling the shells of the tear gas in the region.

Tear gas, formally known as a lachrymatory agent, is a non-lethal chemical compound that stimulates the corneal nerves in the eyes to cause tearing, pain, and even blindness.

Although described as a non-lethal weapon for crowd control, many studies have raised doubts about this classification. As well as creating severe pulmonary damage, CS (one of the chemical used in the tear gas mix) can also significantly damage the heart and liver.

On September 28, 2000, Prof. Dr. Uwe Heinrich released a study commissioned by John C. Danforth, of the United States Office of Special Counsel, to investigate the use of CS by the FBI at the Branch Davidians' Mount Carmel compound. He concluded that the lethality of CS used would have been determined mainly by two factors: whether gas masks were used and whether the occupants were trapped in a room. He suggests that if no gas masks were used and the occupants were trapped, then, "...there is a distinct possibility that this kind of CS exposure can significantly contribute to or even cause lethal effects."

Many reports have associated CS exposure with miscarriages. This is consistent with its reported clastogenic effect (abnormal chromosome change) on mammalian cells.

When CS is metabolized, cyanide can be detected in human tissue. According to the United States Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, CS emits "very toxic fumes" when heated to decomposition, and at specified concentrations CS gas is an immediate danger to life and health. They also state that those exposed to CS gas should seek medical attention immediately.

In Israel, CS gas was reported to be the cause of death of Jawaher Abu Rahmah on December 31, 2010, although the Israel Defence Forces have questioned the veracity of the report.

It has been noted that the solvent MiBK is itself harmful, and can cause inflammation, dermatitis, burns to the skin and liver damage.