Fig. 1: knife, plate, habaneros, Tecnu; Fig. 2: hand; Fig. 3: mouth; Fig. 4: eye.
It was conjectured that
Tecnu™, a commercial preparation that is effective
against Urushiol, should likewise be effective against Oleoresin
Capsicum. This conjecture was tested on an experimental population
of 1 [1].
Fig. 1: knife, plate, habaneros, Tecnu; Fig. 2: hand; Fig. 3: mouth; Fig. 4: eye.
5 habaneros were acquired [2]; two were selected for this work, one being reserved as a backup in case of need.
A thin coating of Tecnu was applied to the hands of the experimental subject [1] as a prophylactic measure. It is questionable whether this is necessary, and it should be noted that the flavor of Tecnu is not a desirable addition to the flavor of the habanero.
A dull knife [3] was then used to slice one of the habaneros into two pieces, care being taken to ensure that the cut traversed the seed-bearing region. It was then necessary to perform a suitable test to determine the suitability of the experimental material.
Fig. 5: “Is there gas in the car?”
“Yes, there’s gas in the car.”
[4]
Oleoresin Capsicum was then applied to the first experimental surface by rubbing the cut face of the habanero firmly against it for several seconds.
Fig. 6: Initial Application [5]
The Tecnu was then rinsed off the hands of the experimental subject [1]. No soap or detergent was used at this time. The fragrance of habanero, though much decreased, was still apparent, so Tecnu was applied again to the hands of the experimental subject [1] and scrubbed, fairly gently, for perhaps 20 seconds, in an attempt to emulate conditions that might be encountered in actual use. (The instructions specify firm scrubbing for two full minutes. Researcher respectfully suggests that it is unlikely that they will be followed in the field.) The hands of the experimental subject [okay, okay I’ll stop] were then washed with liquid soap in the ordinary manner, but only once, and without scrubbing.
At this point, neither fragrance (habanero or Tecnu) was apparent, and it was concluded that an initial organoleptic determination was in order.
Fig. 7: The Chew
Capsaicin was near the lower limit of detectability, though it must be allowed that the sensitivity of the test was marred by the fact that the organoleptic sensor was still somewhat under the influence of the previous test. It was nonetheless deemed appropriate to perform a rather more stringent evaluation.
Fig. 8: The Rub
This was followed by a contemplative period, during which the subject found it necessary to blink some two dozen times, but reported only minor discomfort, which soon faded.
Fig. 9: Consideration of Results: Huh. I Guess It Works.
This procedure was repeated, some days later, but without the initial prophylactic application of Tecnu, and with a separate organoleptic check on the habanero, so that the experimental device would be unpolluted for the actual test. The habanero was one from the original lot of 5, two others from a separate purchase having been rejected by the organoleptic testing panel [6] as insufficiently potent.
The results were essentially the same: the subject
reported that the heat of the finger was detectable but
minimal; and the subject was observed to blink perhaps
three dozen times after rubbing the exposed and treated
finger firmly in his left eye. (Side note: the subject
further reported that the sensation cleared from the
eye more rapidly than from the tongue. It is possible
that this effect would be a reasonable subject for further
investigation.)
Based on available evidence, Tecnu is reasonably
effective at removing Oleoresin Capsicum from human
skin if applied promptly. Student’s T-test
[7] was not performed, and the
significance of the data was not determined. (Tough
bananas.) Delayed application was not tested, and may
become the subject of further research.
Into the life of a researcher come a few singular opportunities. Some of them, perhaps regrettably, cannot within reason be delegated, and must be seen through by one person, alone, in an isolated laboratory high on a rocky mountainside, deep in the night...
Fig. 10: The Researcher Returns His Attention to a Higher Plane, Its Normal Purview.
Good night, Mr. and Mrs. Hyperbole, wherever you are.
[1] The Researcher.
[2] Giant Food, Domer St., Laurel, MD, 20707 USA
[3] A dull knife is more likely than a sharp one to crush the plant material, thus releasing more oleoresin. The knife in question is not mine; I would not have such a thing in my kitchen, thankew verrimuch.
[4] Steely Dan, Kid Charlemagne
[5] Astute observers will note a tiny white spot at about 1:30 o’clock on the habanero, approximately halfway from the cap to the edge. “Do Not Stare Into Laser With Remaining Camera.”
[6] Ms. LisaJulie M. Peoples kindly consented to vet the habaneros for the second test.
[7] http://www.physics.csbsju.edu/stats/t-test.html
I sorta posed the “Yes, there’s gas in the car” photo; but yes, it really was a habanero; and yes, I really did determine that by touching the cut surface to my tongue. I took the photo within about 15 seconds, and the pose is probably pretty close to what I actually said, about three seconds after I licked the accurséd thing.
...And yes, I’m extremely pleased to say, Tecnu
really is effective at removing it ...from your
hands. I don’t think Tecnu is something you want
to put in your mouth. Btw, I probably should have tested
this as soon as I had the idea, which I think was some
time last summer; but I probably wasn’t the first
person to think of it. (Having performed the test, I
went and did the obvious Google search; sure enough,
there is a page from October of last year where the use
of Tecnu for removing habanero oil is mentioned, and it
reads like the person has been doing it for a while. So
far, though, I’m finding only that one page.)
Email: a@b.com, where you can replace a with my first name (jon, only 3 letters, no “h”) and b with joss.
Phone: +1 240 604 4495.
Last modified: Mon Mar 31 23:24:00 EST 2008