#SURPLUS GAS MASK HOW TO#
#SURPLUS GAS MASK FULL#
#SURPLUS GAS MASK SERIES#

The maximum useful life of a filter against mercury vapors is legislatively defined by European standards as 50 hours. If a gas mask filter is used against radioactive substances, mercury or other highly toxic substances, low-boiling organic substances, tear-producing and irritating substances, dangerous microorganisms, NOx or carbon monoxide, it cannot be reused!Īlways use a filter with the P3 or P3D filter element against solid and liquid particles, micro-organisms, viruses, smoke, etc. The expected concentration of harmful substances in the air, with regard to the period of maximum possible use, should be 1,000 ppm (0.1% volume) for a Class 1 filter 5,000 ppm (0.5% of volume) for a Class 2 filter 10,000 ppm (1% of volume) for a Class 3 filter. Gas masks & filters require at least 17% ambient oxygen levels (19.5% if in accordance with NIOSH) to function, any less requires a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Most (but not all) of the gas mask filters you’ll see on the market today are threaded to screw into gas masks with one of two popular formats known as 40 mm NATO and GOST.Īs the name implies, 40 mm NATO is the filter standard used by NATO and US armed forces (conforming to the specifications of STANAG 4155 EN148-1), making these filters a popular and readily available choice for law enforcement, private military contractors and civilians. It’s important to note that these color-coding systems are primarily used for easy identification by industrial workers, so you won’t see them on all filters (they’re noticeably absent on the NBC-77 SOF filter, for example, which is all grey). More on that in Filter Classification below.

#SURPLUS GAS MASK SERIES#

Inside, each filter has a unique combination of chemical and mechanical media to filter out particulates and provide the user with breathable air even in extreme environments.ĭue to the complicated nature of how these filters are built, there’s no “one size fits all” solution, so filters are classified based on the protection they provide-typically designated by a series of numbers and (sometimes) color-coded bands (per standard EN 14387+A1). Many filters have the same round shape and size that you probably already know. This can make logistics straightforward, as you’ll see in the Storage & Shelf Life section below. Any worthwhile gas mask filter will have these details laid out in the included documentation. Gas mask filters are easy to carry, use and store, with a shelf life that can stretch into decades, and depending on the specific filter, they can provide up to 40 or more hours of practical protection from airborne contaminants and toxins. Fortunately, it couldn’t be any easier to put one to use. To produce a modern gas mask filter takes unprecedented skill and expertise. Like most CBRN filters on the market today, take protection to an even higher level, with safeguards against things like organic substances with low boiling points, including mercury, COx, NOx and radioactive metal iodide. Modern gas mask filters, on the other hand, are truly a technological marvel. The history of gas masks and how gas mask filters became practically universal is something we've already covered in our Gas Mask Buyer's Guide, so we won't delve into that here. We’ve assembled all the research you need to make an informed decision and give your family the protection they might need. So, we’re going to look at everything you need to know about gas mask filters: from their practical function and specifications to the logistics of storing them and, should the need arise, putting them to potentially life-saving use. That’s a mistake that can cost you time and money…or something even more important. These complicated factors are often overlooked by new and even experienced buyers.

#SURPLUS GAS MASK HOW TO#

Creating a working gas mask filter takes specialized knowledge of how to impregnate carbon with a key balance of metal salts and then treating the blend with chemicals to pass strict testing requirements. The craftsmanship of their construction matters just as much as the science behind their effectiveness.

#SURPLUS GAS MASK FULL#

A single filter can protect you from all of the contamination from a nuclear meltdown for forty full hours, while another filter could help you safely navigate the smoky environment of a house fire to reach safety.īut each gas mask filter has its limitations…Įach filter has a shelf life, classification, specs and price.

Surplus gas mask