Propellant is defined as?

• A. The inactive carrier that disperses OC
• B. A liquid or gas used to push the active ingredient out of the canister toward the suspect
• C. The canister's outer shell
• D. A chemical added to reduce heat

Answer: (B)

Propellant is the pressurizing medium that drives the spray out of the canister. It’s a liquid or gas kept under pressure inside the can, and when released it expands and pushes the active ingredient (OC) and any carrier out through the nozzle as a spray toward the target. This propulsion is what makes the spray reach and disperse effectively.

It’s not the outer shell, which is just packaging, and it’s not a heat-reducing chemical. While some formulations may include an inactive carrier to aid in delivering the OC, the primary role of the propellant is to provide the force that expels the contents.