PAVA stands for?

• A. Pelargonic Acid Vanillylamide
• B. Pepper Agent Vehicle Aqueous
• C. Pelargonic Aldehyde Vehicle Alcohol
• D. Phenyl Acyl Vanillylamide

Answer: (A)

PAVA stands for Pelargonic acid vanillylamide, which is the active ingredient in many non-lethal pepper spray formulations. The name reflects its chemical components: a pelargonic (nonanoic) acid portion linked to vanillylamide, producing the irritant effect that causes tearing, burning eyes, coughing, and throat irritation. This makes it a non-lethal option for temporarily incapacitating someone without causing permanent harm.

Other phrasing in the options doesn’t match the actual chemical name of the active ingredient. For example, something about a vehicle or an aldehyde describes the formulation or a different chemical entirely, and the remaining name isn’t the correct chemical structure or standard naming for PAVA.