Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: big ern
Serious question on gas masks.

Is there one mask that can handle all the different types of chem/bio weapons?

It is my understanding and I could be totally wrong, that you need specific filters for different gases/germs, not knowing what was released, is it possible to be equipped to handle all gases/germs?

8 posted on 09/26/2001 12:58:26 AM PDT by dtel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies ]


To: dtel
No respirator protects completely against "fumes". Dryland scuba is needed in such environments.

Particles are rated in an "N" (not resistant to oil) number, petroleum protection has an "R" (resistant to oil) number and "P" (proofed to oil). The industry rating numbers are nominal 95 (%), 99 (%), and 100 (%) as in actually 99.97%.

A near universal chemical filtration medium is activated charcoal. It is manufactured by a baking process creating a spongy physical structure which produces acres/gram of surface area to capture harmful particles/molecules.

Activated charcoal is a terrific emergency water filter when sandwiched between several coffee filters in a gravity feed seet up. If left "wet" for a while, it can also become a nasty home to bad microbes so be practical.

Commercial respirators are rated and color coded for families of chemical effectiveness. Magenta colored filters aree for acid gasses/halogens=chlorines/organic vapors. Mayor Rudy was wearing these after the first dust death cloud envelopes Manhatten. Pesticide rated filters are black.

When in doubt, go for both. 3M company is a leading manufacture of respirators.

9 posted on 09/26/2001 1:27:26 AM PDT by SevenDaysInMay
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies ]

To: dtel
You could buy a set of turnout gear.

Also there's Tyvek suits available.

15 posted on 09/26/2001 3:11:29 PM PDT by nunya bidness
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson