I wonder if gas masks are of any use

[captain queeg]

Aside from the dumbass in congress, I think it was Gaetz, wearing what looked like a WWI gas mask to mock the pandemic, which didn’t save him, I’d think industrial “gas masks” would be effective. I know there are different kinds of cartridges available. I’d think some would work. I bring it up because I was issued one years ago at work and I’m sure it’s still in my storage room. Maybe I ought to go fish it out.

[Jamastiene]

1. If Trump doesn't shut up soon,

gas masks might help us from the pollution of his breath stinking up the world and keeping global warming going, singlehandedly.

[jpak]

2. Unless it's a modern military NBC mask

No

[Throck]

3. N95 masks are commonly found in wood shops.

Same mask as found in Home Depot or Lowe's. Says N95 right on it. When used for non contagious dust, wood workers use them for a week at a time.

Not good for asbestos, good for wood dust, plaster dust.

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Safety-Equipment-Respirator-Masks/N95/N-5yc1vZc25kZbwo5oZ1z195hh

[hlthe2b]

4. Unless they are fit tested, they may not make an adequate seal. I'll illustrate that with example

I was trained to fit test in response to H1N1 in 2009 and have obviously been so myself. My sister (an ER nurse in another state) was likewise, of course, and again a few weeks ago. She and I have a similar-sized and shaped face, but perhaps some subtle differences in nose shape and size. Yet, we are one size apart (hers smaller) to obtain the same level of a seal against various tested noxious odors. (an adequate seal will not allow you to detect any of these).

So, I tried on my friend's husband's wood-working "N95" particulate mask from Home Depot and had my friend open a bottle of ammonia. I could smell it even a foot away.

So, no. unlikely to be the same for most people even if the filtration level is N95. They aren't designed to seal and if you look at a medical-grade 95, there are some subtle differences. That said, they'd surely be superior to a surgical or procedure mask.

[Throck]

6. N95 not for use with chemicals.

Typically a carbon canister filter for that. N95 for particulate, not gas. I use to work at a chemical waste disposal facility.

[hlthe2b]

7. you misunderstand totally. Noxious odorous chemicals are used to FIT TEST to determine size of mask

for medical protective purposes--small vials are used to determine if the wearer can smell them/react. If they can not, then the mask has an adequate seal. I said NOTHING about use in chemical environments. My field is medicine not industry.

[Chainfire]

5. It takes about two minutes

To teach someone how to "fit" an industrial N-95 respirators. They do not filter smells, or viruses They probably would stop spittle from a sneeze, but they would then be highly contaminated for many hours and would have to be handled as hazardous waste. The most effective thing about wearing a mask is that it might remind you not to scratch your nose with your contaminated hands.

In an industrial situation, to comply with OSHA and NIH regulations, if you need wear an N-95 mask, you must also be a part of routine medical monitoring and testing.

[pecosbob]

8. In the Navy they taught us how to fit our masks by leading us into a tear gas chamber

turning on the gas and having us remove and then replace our masks.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

9. The CS Gas Chamber Army Tear Gas Training

I went through one with the Marines at Camp Pendleton, jesus it sucked!

Al