Business Notes PERSONAL SAFETY

As a defensive weapon, mace is powerful -- sometimes too much so. The chemical spray leaves damage in some cases, prompting lawsuits against the police and private citizens who use it. But now they are discovering an alternative called Cap-Stun, which can incapacitate attackers in a much more savory fashion -- by spraying a mist of cayenne pepper. The aerosol causes severe smarting of the eyes and prompts breathing spasms when inhaled. The well- seasoned criminal can be disabled for as long as 30 minutes.

The FBI and more than 1,000 other agencies have adopted Cap-Stun, which is distributed by Luckey Police Products of Fort Lauderdale. Sizes range from the 2-gal. container for riot use to the personal 1/2-oz. canister (price: $9.95). Gardner Whitcomb, 68, started the company with his wife 13 years ago, and has pushed Cap-Stun ever since as a safe substitute for mace. Whitcomb expects sales to quadruple this year, to $1 million.