gas mask as part of prep ??

[Hrusai]

(11 August 2012, 15:27)TOF Wrote: Ditto again BP, I HAVE FFP2 masks.

However, I am intrigued, when would one have the need for a full out mask that filters everything?

well in some cases chemical warfare, depending on the chemical released, some chemicals would just be hazardous if breathed in, whereas others can be absorbed through the skin....but to me the biggest event for a full face mask would be nuclear fallout, all those radioactive particles, but you'd need a full disposable suit as well...you dont wanna be getting any of those particles on clothes that you rely on as you'll be getting too much radiation by wearing them, and its all cumulative...and if you breath them in, well forget about living

okay quick physics lesson, bear with me though, i wont go into massive detail!

so radiation comes in 3 types, alpha beta and gamma;

gamma penetrates a long way but isnt very damaging...you typically need lead to stop it.

beta radiation penetrates less than gamma and can be stopped by a thin sheet of aluminium or some such metal and is a bit more damaging than gamma.

alpha radiation typically cant go much further than a few centimtres of air but if it hits you its very damaging.

so if theres bits of radioative material in the air, and you breathe it in, alpha radiation will do alot of damage to you very quickly...beta not as much, and gamma the least


essentially the 3 types differ depending on whether or not they are coming from outside your body or inside (being swallowed or breathed in)
when outside gamma will be the worst, and alpha the most safe, but once inside, it reverses and alpha is the worst.

if you remember that russian spy being poisoned with polonium-210 he didnt need very much at all, because it was ingested and polonium is primarily a beta and alpha radiation emitter making it safe to have inside an envelope, but once swallowed highly deadly.

hope that helps TOF