OC's active ingredient is found in which substance?

• A. Water
• B. Garden variety peppers
• C. Synthetic chemical
• D. Mineral oil

Answer: (B)

The active irritant in OC spray comes from compounds called capsaicinoids, with capsaicin being the primary one. These spicy compounds are produced by peppers as a natural defense, so the active ingredient in OC spray is derived from garden variety peppers. Water has no capsaicinoids, mineral oil is just a carrier, and a synthetic chemical would imply a man-made irritant rather than the pepper-derived capsaicinoids. Therefore, the active ingredient is found in garden variety peppers.