MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

Which color is associated with OC chemical disbursement?

1. Yellow

2. Orange

3. Red

4. Blue

The correct answer is: Orange

The color orange is commonly associated with OC (oleoresin capsicum) chemical disbursement, often referred to as pepper spray. This association stems from standard color-coding used in law enforcement and safety equipment, which helps to easily identify the different types of chemical agents. The orange color signifies that the product contains OC, which is derived from chili peppers and is primarily used for self-defense and law enforcement purposes to incapacitate a subject temporarily. The other colors typically represent different types of chemical agents. For instance, red often indicates more dangerous substances or different types of irritants. Yellow may be utilized for other forms of personal protection or safety equipment, while blue could denote non-lethal or training purposes. Understanding these color associations is crucial for personnel who may need to control situations involving various chemical agents and ensures that they apply the correct response in the field.