# Policeman pepper sprays pizza at traffic stop. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 3, 2013, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241 "2013-08-03T13:21:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/121 "2013-08-07T00:25:51Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > For the additional claims, can you collect some random neighborhood teens and buy a bunch of pizzas for them? All in the name of science, of course. Not a bad idea, but think of the liability! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/122 "2013-08-07T01:29:24Z")
Actually, in Southern California, 7-11 convenience stores have taken to carrying pizzas, which you can buy whole or by the slice. They’re kept hot and ready inside hot-box display cases. Very cheap. (Very “ordinary.”) But definitely “Fast Food.” ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/123 "2013-08-07T01:40:50Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > I don’t think we have slice shops around here. I’m aware of the concept, because my father was a damyankee, but around here, you have to order your pizza and then they cook it to order, as far as I know. Sure ya do. [http://www.hysensnizzapizza.com/menus\_articles\_awards/nizza\_pizza\_menu.pdf](http://www.hysensnizzapizza.com/menus_articles_awards/nizza_pizza_menu.pdf) [http://www.dfwpicchipacchi.com/Menus.html](http://www.dfwpicchipacchi.com/Menus.html) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/124 "2013-08-07T02:39:52Z")
Are people serious about eating pepper spray? Because if so, I’ll be the adult and point out that’s a really bad idea. Pepper spray is bad if taken internally because it can’t disperse like it can if it’s on your skin. You’ll probably experience some serious pain and maybe even some injuries. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/125 "2013-08-07T02:45:02Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Are people serious about eating pepper spray? Because if so, I’ll be the adult and point out that’s a really bad idea. Pepper spray is bad if taken internally because it can’t disperse like it can if it’s on your skin. You’ll probably experience some serious pain and maybe even some injuries. Eh, I’d give it a shot. Plenty of videos on Youtube of people eating pepper spray and it really can’t be that much worse than those stupid 2 million Scolville plus hot sauces out there. I know people post stupid shit on Youtube that you shouldn’t do, but this doesn’t seem to be that bad if you’re used to really hot foods. The only thing I’d worry about is if there’s anything else in the pepper spray that might not be advisable to ingest. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/126 "2013-08-07T02:49:00Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > …I am going to play this test as safe as I can. The weather forecast is for rain today, so I plan to put off the test until tomorrow afternoon, as I want to do it in the open. > > My plan is to use the tiniest amount on some bread first, and see how much is detectable in the open by smell and if I’m not overwhelmed, by taste. If it is not overpowering, I might put a little on a slice of pizza I have in the fridge (I’ll warm it first) and keep it in a cardboard box for a few minutes to simulate what might have happened to the teens. For all we know, the smell might evaporate over time. > > Film at 11. If I don’t post for a few days, send the ambulance. I recommend that you have plenty of fresh water available. Bottles, bowls, buckets, hose, etc. and a few small towels in case you feel the need to pepper spray your face or hands. You could also drink it if you felt the need. If possible, have someone else pepper spray the item(s) of food many yards downwind from you so the test isn’t contaminated by overspray or blowback. Keeps the pepper from landing on your clothes, hair, or body. Watch the wind. Conducting this test on a rainy day would have the benefit of quickly driving any overspray to the ground instead of letting it drift towards an unsuspecting dog walker excersizing their trained-to-attack, East German GSDs. If the dogs assume you just attacked their pack, the owner might not be able to call them off due to his coughing fit. Or not. _Acidic Drinks Peppers are capsicums and they contain capsaicin, a compound that makes them hot; the key is to neutralize this alkaline. When your mouth is on fire from a hot pepper burn, acidic drinks can help. Try drinking cold orange juice or lemonade to ease the pain. Tomato juice also has a high acidity. In a pinch, try sucking on a lemon or lime wedge. It won’t fully neutralize the pain, but it will ease it_. [http://www.ehow.com/info\_8675539\_neutralizes-hot-pepper-burn.html](http://www.ehow.com/info_8675539_neutralizes-hot-pepper-burn.html) BON APPETIT. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/127 "2013-08-07T03:32:03Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > I recommend that you have plenty of fresh water available. Bottles, bowls, buckets, hose, etc. and a few small towels in case you feel the need to pepper spray your face or hands. You could also drink it if you felt the need. My experience is you’re better off with something that’s got fat or oil in it. I’d recommend milk or ice cream instead of water. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/128 "2013-08-07T03:38:39Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > it really can’t be that much worse than those stupid 2 million Scolville plus hot sauces out there. [Check it out](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scoville_scale). The highest-rated pepper is the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion - which tops out at two million Scoville units. Pure Capsaicin is rated at sixteen million Scoville units. Police pepper spray is somewhat diluted but it can top out at over five million Scoville units. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/129 "2013-08-07T04:42:40Z")
> [@Darth\_Panda](#): > > Sure ya do. > > [http://www.hysensnizzapizza.com/menus\_articles\_awards/nizza\_pizza\_menu.pdf](http://www.hysensnizzapizza.com/menus_articles_awards/nizza_pizza_menu.pdf) > > [http://www.dfwpicchipacchi.com/Menus.html](http://www.dfwpicchipacchi.com/Menus.html) Huh. So we do. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/130 "2013-08-07T05:18:01Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > [Check it out](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scoville_scale). The highest-rated pepper is the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion - which tops out at two million Scoville units. Pure Capsaicin is rated at sixteen million Scoville units. Police pepper spray is somewhat diluted but it can top out at over five million Scoville units. Yes. And I’ve had (grown) the Trinidad Scorp as well as those silly hot sauces that are over 2 million Scolville. The difference between 2 milliion and 5 millions Scolville isn’t really a big difference. It’s all really friggin’ hot at that point. The video I linked to of the woman dousing her sandwich in pepper spray and eating it makes me think that at least the stuff **Musicat** will be fooling around with is not as hot as something like [Wanza’s Wicked Temptation](http://www.hotsauce.com/Wanza-s-Wicked-Temptation-Hot-Sauce-p/1952ww.htm) or similar sauces. Also, all the police pepper sprays I see out there say they’re a 10% pepper spray concentrate. Assuming pure capsaicin, that would be 1.6 million Scolville. Or if those 5 milliion Scoville refer to the strength of the pepper spray concentrate, we’re talking 500,000 Scoville. That makes a bit more sense, given the videos. 500,000 - 1.6 million Scoville is nothing to just shrug off–that’s still freaking hot. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/131 "2013-08-07T05:40:26Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > My experience is you’re better off with something that’s got fat or oil in it. I’d recommend milk or ice cream instead of water. At least two gallon jugs, I’d say. You might even have to take a bath in it. But hey, it’s for _science_! 😃 (Oh, and probably some Pepto Bismal, Preperation H, etc. You’re gonna have some MAJOR wolf-ass, I’m guessing.) ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/132 "2013-08-07T06:08:35Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Film at 11. > [@Cheesesteak](#): > > I salute your interest in putting these claims to the test… > [@Trinopus](#): > > Seconded. This is heroism above and beyond the call of Straight Dope duty. I hope it doesn’t hurt/burn/stink too badly. We, collectively, owe you a (unadulterated!) pizza! And if a whole pizza is too much for you, you can share it with **Scylla** while the two of you compare notes. ---
**Author:** ![d1a1s1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@d1a1s1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/d1a1s1)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/133 "2013-08-07T06:46:40Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Are people serious about eating pepper spray? Because if so, I’ll be the adult and point out that’s a really bad idea. Pepper spray is bad if taken internally because it can’t disperse like it can if it’s on your skin. You’ll probably experience some serious pain and maybe even some injuries. Simply not true, well, except for the serious pain part 😃 ---
**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/134 "2013-08-07T11:07:38Z")
I expect the pain the next morning to be more dramatic and intimidating than the initial impact. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/135 "2013-08-07T13:17:16Z")
**Musicat** , PM me with your address and I’ll send some money to fund your research. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/136 "2013-08-07T16:54:24Z")
I’ve heard that alcohol is supposed to help too. Get yourself a six pack. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/137 "2013-08-07T17:01:09Z")
And, remember, you don’t actually have to drink the milk/beer/etc. I know that sounds painfully obvious, but when I was a kid, the first time I ate a very hot pepper I was chugging so much liquid to make the pain go away, until I didn’t have any room for more, before I figured out, wait, I don’t have to swallow it. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/138 "2013-08-07T17:03:37Z")
Actually, you probably should swallow some – it’ll burn going down as well. That being said, obviously **Musicat** shouldn’t just cram the whole slice in his mouth at a time. Baby bites, we’re talking. Oh, and finally, 9-11 on speed dial. Just in case. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/139 "2013-08-07T17:24:57Z")
Yes, don’t forget the ice cream. It’s very important to eat ice cream for dessert after eating extremely spicy hot food. During you’re next trip to “crapper john”, you’re going to be chanting, “Come-On-Ice-Cream, Come-On-Ice-Cream”. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241/140 "2013-08-07T18:16:06Z")
If you’re lucky, you won’t be affected by the “ring of fire.” It doesn’t happen to me and I know at least one other poster here said it doesn’t happen to them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policeman-pepper-sprays-pizza-at-traffic-stop/665241.md?page=8)