People exposed to teargas or other crowd-control chemicals during recent Gaza and immigration protests say the toxic substances have caused long-lasting health effects, including disrupting their menstrual cycles and inducing hormone imbalances, according to accounts collected by the Guardian and reports from protesters in Michigan and Los Angeles.
More than a dozen people across three protests reported the health effects. Among other issues, they say they have experienced intense cramping and increased bleeding during menstruation, along with irregular menstrual cycles, weight gain and fatigue.
