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+--- Thread: Anti pollution face masks (/showthread.php?tid=6720)
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RE: Anti pollution face masks - NorthernRaider - 6 April 2014
Apparently MRS NR has about 20 of these 3M masks in our medical kit that I did not know about ??/
Here is an interesting snippet, please ignore the media hype and stick to the scraps of prudent intel one can grab from the article, They claim there is a good likelihood that climate change will cause more level 10 + pollution events which is not only bad for Asthmatics etc but can make ordinary people wheezy and chesty and more vulnerable to infections. So adding a selection of masks either disposable or changeable element types does appear VERY prudent.
Not just for high pollution days but also as Evac masks in event of 911 scenarios AND quite possibly as at least PARTIAL relief from CS or Tear gas or other incapacitants directed at us by the state or bad guys.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/468908/Britain-s-toxic-smog-leaves-millions-of-people-at-risk-of-heart-disease.
With your indulgence I would also like to kick off another thread about CLOTHING for similar incidents and environments
RE: Anti pollution face masks - Devonian - 9 April 2014
(6 April 2014, 11:47)Devonian Wrote: The N95 standard is a US designation and is not normally seen in the UK, the nearest European equivalent to an N95 mask is an FFP2 respirator, however even for works on construction sites in the UK, the higher FFP3 Respirators (equivalent to a US N99 Mask) is recommended and will filter 99% of particulates - so this is what I would recommend.
However the key issue with any mask/respirator is making sure you fit it correctly to your face, if you do not position the mask correctly on your face and adjust it, then the filtering effects will be completely lost as you will simply end up breathing in air through gaps between the seal of the mask and your face, as this is the area of least resistance.
You will also find that not all masks will fit the shape of your face and you may need to try a couple of different designs/makes before you find the one best for your face shape/size.
Also always try and get valved respirators as they help to expel the exhaled air much more easily, making breathing, especially strenuous breathing a lot easier.
Also if you have a beard, then these sorts of respirators are a waste of time as you will not achieve a seal between the mask and your face, in this case you are going to need a full face reuseable respirator - think of fire fighters mask without the oxygen tanks.
Finally, as NR suggested, goggles are also good to have, but again if you are wearing a respirator, have you checked to see if the goggles and mask are compatible?? You may find that when wearing your respirator your goggles end up sitting on the respirator which results in them being lifted off your face, in which case they are no more use than your standard glasses!!
So as with all of your kit, get it out, use it and check it works and provides you with the protection that you need.
For those in an urban environment, this is particularly true and also don't underestimate how much harder (and hotter) it will be to do things when wearing a respirator/goggles, running down the street carrying your GHB/BOB.
Just building on the above, if you do have a 'supply' of masks, be aware that the disposable ones in particular have expiry dates.
Whilst the filter material may continue to be fine, the usual area of failure is that of the fixing/restraining straps, just think how many times you have picked up an old elastic band, only to see it snap as soon as you try and stretch it - the same thing happens to the straps on your masks and without decent working straps, your respirator will be next to useless. So if you have a stock of 10 year old masks, check them and replace if necessary.
Alternatively, it may be worth giving consideration to a re-usable respirator with replaceable filter cartridges, these also give the advantage of being able to use combinations of filters to provide protection not only against particulates, but also against vapours and gases.