A gas mask is a device to protect you from inhaling dangerous substances, such as chemicals and infectious particles. There are several different types of gas masks, as described below.
- Escape Respirators
Escape respirators are designed to be used only in an emergency, and only to escape from a dangerous area to a safe area. There are several escape respirators on the market. Many of them use a hood with a neck seal instead of a facepiece. You can buy these respirators from a leading supplier of gas masks over 30 years.
They are typically designed for one-time use for a short period, typically 15 minutes to 1 hour. They may be available in a variety of sizes and will fit most adults.
- Particulate Respirators
Particulate respirators are the simplest, least expensive, and least protective of the respirator types available. These respirators only protect against particles. They do not protect against chemicals, gases, or vapors, and are intended only for low hazard levels.
Gas masks are also known as “air-purifying respirators” because they filter or clean chemical gases and possibly particles out of the air as you breathe. This respirator includes a facepiece or mask, and a filter/cartridge.
Gas Masks are effective only if used with the correct cartridge or filter for a particular biological or chemical substance. These gas masks protect against more than one hazard.