Industry and Family Choice for Hazardous Material Handling, Abatement
and Protection Gas Masks, Respirators, Protection Suits,
and Equipment since 1975-Toxic Waste Removal and Lead Abatement since 1972
Gas
masks or full-faced respirators are
negative pressure devices that require the user to physically draw air
through a cartridge or canister containing material that filters out
specific pollutants. There are two types of respirators, half face and full
face. Full-faced respirators are more desirable because the level of
protection is greater by covering the entire face.
Canisters or cartridges are designed and rated to filter out specific
contaminates or gases and should be carefully considered before purchasing.
But there are concerns.
The types of agents and their concentrations
are unknown in an attack and therefore it is almost impossible to accurately
select a respirator.
Respirators reduce, but do not eliminate
exposure to chemical or biological agents. Respirators do not eliminate
the risk of contracting illness, disease or infection.
Some chemical warfare agents are not
effectively filtered by industrial charcoal cartridges.
There may be no obvious warning in the event
of release of biological or chemical agents.
Respirators may help protect your lungs,
however, some chemical agents may be absorbed through the skin or eyes and
other protective equipment may be required.
Without proper decontamination, materials
could create a hazard by bringing the agent into the home.
NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational
Safety & Health) does not currently certify respirators for use against
chemical or biological warfare agents.
However, don't get discouraged. Using a
properly fitting full face respirator with a chemical biological cartridge,
at present, is the most effective way of protecting one's self against an
attack.
Will any gas
mask work for chemical/ biological protection?
No. Air purifying respirators sold in the
U.S. are tested and apply for government approval by NIOSH for both the
respirator and standard cartridges. Though CBA (chemical/ biological agent)
cartridges are not tested by NIOSH, the U.S. military does have strict
standards and tests extensively. Every CBA cartridge should also have
technical data sheets required by the U.S. military that indicate what
contaminates it was tested against and how long before it fails. The
documented data is located on permeation charts.
(Sample tech sheet, permeation table)
What should I look for when buying a gas mask?
Not all gas masks are created equally.
First, pick an established and respectable U.S. manufacturer that has the
necessary approvals such as MSA (Mine Safety Appliances) or 3M. Secondly,
one that you can actually get a technical permeation sheet for. This will
be a good indicator of the supplier you are purchasing from and the
legitimacy of the manufacturer. The canister should also be sealed and with
an expiration date. Most canisters have a shelf life of 2-3 years,
therefore canisters from military surplus stores dating back to the Korean
War are next to useless. If you are spending less than $100 for a full face
gas mask and CBA (chemical biological agent) cartridge, be very careful.
Many people are selling the Israeli gas mask for adults and kids but again,
ask for a technical sheet and make sure the canister is in a sealed package
with an expiration date. *For children and gas masks, please read ‘Gas
Masks for Children’ below.
Who
can wear them?
Adults can wear gas masks but anyone with any
respiratory problems should consult a doctor first.
PAPRs are the alternative to gas masks. *For children and gas masks, please
read ‘Gas Masks for Children’ below.
Gas Masks for
Children?
Infants and small children
are NOT recommended to wear gas masks and
should use
PAPRs or Powered Air Purifying Respirators. This is because children’s
lungs are still underdeveloped and have difficulty using a negative pressure
mask, meaning that you have to breath in to draw the air through the
canister. A PAPR is a
positive pressure device that continually blows air into a hood making
it very easy to breath. It consists of a pump motor, filter or canister and
hood that cover the head or entire body in the case of an infant.
Age guidelines for gas
masks are unclear but chem./bio canisters are harder to breath through than
normal particulate filters so even a healthy adult depending on their size
may find using a gas mask difficult.
How
long will my gas mask last?
The life of your gas
mask will be determined by your exposure level. If exposed to a chemical or
biological agent, the cartridge should be properly discarded even after one
use and the mask cleaned using approved methods. A gas mask properly stored
will last indefinitely but the canister only about 2-3 years unused.
Fit testing
It is paramount that
your gas mask fit well with no leaks around the face especially when using a
negative pressure gas mask. Any air that can enter the mask not through the
canister is dangerous. A badly fitted gas mask is ineffective in protecting
you against any chemical or biological agent. There are basically two
methods for
fit testing. The quick way is don (put on) the mask covering the
canister ports with your hand and breathing in. If no air is able to get
in, the mask is probably ok. But the preferred method is called
Qualitative fit testing. The test kit includes a hood and bitter or
sweet solution that the wearer can smell if the mask isn’t fitting
properly. A trained and qualified person should administer the test.
