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Uses for Gas Masks

Gas masks, also referred to as respirators, are worn over the face to filter out hazardous components and protect against exposure to harmful contaminants and agents. They can be worn before exposure to the hazardous agents or immediately after exposure. Applications of gas masks vary, but their use can determine the safety and well-being of the person involved.

  1. Smoke and Fire Hazards

    • Gas masks offer protection against fire and smoke during fire outbreaks or explosions. Smoke contains toxic fumes and lethal gases, including carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen cyanide that damage body cells, cause disorientation and stop the supply of oxygen to the body, leading to suffocation. Fire gas masks shield the face from fire besides protecting filtering out lethal fumes.

    Chemical Agents

    • Gas masks protect against exposure to chemical agents that cause incapacitation or even death in chemical plants or in a chemical attack. Chemical agents include industrial chemical products, such as paints that can cause respiratory complications. Others are chemical elements such as chlorine and phosgenes that have a corrosive effect on the respiratory system, hydrogen cyanide and cyanogen chloride that inactivate body enzymes and prevent normal cells' uptake of oxygen, and sulfur that affects unprotected eyes and lungs and also causes painful, debilitating blisters on exposed skin.

    Biological Agents

    • Gas masks protect against biological agents, which are toxins or live microorganisms that can incapacitate and damage crops and cause human and animal deaths. People who encounter live microorganisms and germs on their jobs, such as medical researchers, doctors and laboratory technicians, use gas masks to protect themselves against harmful exposure to biological agents. Gas masks also protect against biological weapons used in war and terror attacks.

    Nuclear Contaminants

    • Nuclear plants, research reactors, medical facilities, industrial companies and academic institutions that deal with nuclear reagents produce toxic radioactive dust and nuclear byproducts that can cause fatal health complications. Gas masks used together with other protective clothing, such as overalls and gloves, protect people handling nuclear elements against exposure to hazardous nuclear material. Nuclear gas masks also protect against nuclear weapons attacks.

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