What are filter masks made of and what are they for?

To protect the respiratory organs, skin and eyes from all sorts of hazardous substances, you must use special protective equipment. It includes special filtering gas masks that demonstrate high efficiency and safety. In this article, we will take a closer look at these devices and find out for what purpose they are intended.

Before proceeding to the analysis of the composition of filtering gas masks, you must first find out what they are. These are special personal protective equipment for a person (eyes, respiratory organs) from various hazardous substances and harmful impurities that can adversely affect health.

It is a kind of product of the improvement of the previous respirators. This is mainly the isolation of the mucous membranes of the eyes. In addition, respirators, due to their too small dimensions, are designed for a shorter service life.

The filtering gas mask is designed to effectively clean the air in a poisoned or contaminated environment. Moreover, it must be borne in mind that each type of such device can protect the user from only one of the types of gas. This suggests that it may be simply unsafe to use a certain type of gas mask without prior notification of the type of toxic substances.

We must not forget about the concentration of harmful impurities that are contained in the atmosphere. Since the current models of filtering gas masks are not equipped with systems for the inflow of fresh oxygen, they can only purify it, therefore they are used if the mass fraction of toxic components in the environment reaches no more than 85%.

In accordance with it, the ability of a gas mask to contain a specific type of hazardous gas is determined. Let's consider some of the notation.

• Filter grade A, class 1,2,3. Has a brown color coding. Designed to protect against organic vapors and gases, the boiling point of which exceeds 65 degrees Celsius (this can be benzene, butylamine, cyclohexane and others).
• AX, the color coding is also brown. Such masks are designed to protect against organic gases and vapors, the boiling point of which is less than 65 degrees.
• B, class 1,2,3. It has gray markings. These filtering masks are designed specifically to "insure" against the negative effects of inorganic gases and vapors. The only exception is carbon monoxide.
• E, class 1,2,3. Yellow color coding is characteristic. These types of filtering gas masks are designed to protect a person from sulfur dioxide, acid gases and vapors.
• K, class 1,2,3. Green marking. The purpose of such specimens is to protect against ammonia and its organic derivatives.
• M0P3. Indicated by white and blue markings. Air filters of this type are designed to protect against nitrogen oxide and aerosols.
• HgP3. The markings are red and white.Protect people from mercury vapors, aerosols.
• C0. The marking is purple. Models of this type are designed to protect humans from carbon monoxides.

Let us examine in detail what is included in the device of modern filtering gas masks.

• Face mask. Thanks to this component, a sufficient sealing of the airways is ensured due to a snug fit. Face masks also act as a kind of frame part, to which all other important parts of the protective device are attached.

• Glasses. In order for the person wearing such a gas mask to maintain visual orientation in space, the products have glasses. Most often they have a characteristic teardrop or simple round shape. However, in the military sphere, filtering models of gas masks are often used, in which there are large panoramic glasses.

• Inspiratory / expiratory valves. Responsible for air circulation in the inside of the filtering gas mask. Thus, a kind of air cushion is formed, thanks to which it is possible to avoid mixing of incoming and outgoing gases.

• Filter box. Carries out direct cleaning of the incoming air from poisonous components. The main component of the box is the filter itself, for the production of which fine dispersion activated carbon is used. Also in this part there is a frame made of a special fiber mesh with small cells. The described system fits into a special rigid box, in which there is a thread for fastening to the face mask.

• Transport bag. A device that is necessary to store filter gas masks and transport them if necessary.

The above main parts must necessarily be provided in the device of the device in question. However, this is not all that can be present in gas masks. They are often equipped with additional components.

• Radio communication device. This constituent element is needed to improve communication within the group.
• Connecting hose located between mask and filter box. The filter turns out to be larger and more massive than the gas mask itself. Shifting it away from the center of gravity to another part of the body significantly simplifies the further operation of the protective product.
• Liquid intake system. Due to its action, a person is able to drink water without removing a gas mask for this.

Having figured out what the filtering gas mask consists of, you can proceed to get acquainted with the principle of its operation.

The filtering gas mask itself is based on the action of a chemical adsorption process - this is a special ability of chemical molecules to dissolve in each other. Finely dispersed activated carbon absorbs hazardous and harmful gases into its structure, while allowing oxygen to pass through. This effect explains the high efficiency and relevance of the use of coal.

Components with a low molecular weight and low boiling point may well seep through layers of activated carbon that are as close as possible to each other.

To avoid such consequences, in modern filtering gas masks, additional installations are provided in the form of components that can "weigh down" the incoming gases. This will increase the chance that they can be fully filtered in the device being used. Examples of the materials described are oxides based on copper, chromium and other types of metals.

Filtering masks come in many different types, each with its own distinctive features and specifications. These protective devices are divided according to several main criteria.

Today's filtering varieties of gas masks are used in various fields. Consider what features the specimens of different species have.

• Industrial Are personal protective equipment that is used among workers and rescuers. These products, like all other types of gas masks, are designed to protect the respiratory tract and mucous membranes of a person from gaseous and vaporous substances that can cause serious harm. In industry, the following gas masks are most often used: PFMG-06, PPFM - 92, PFSG - 92.

• Combined arms - are divided into several subspecies: RSh, PMG, RMK. This is a reliable protective equipment that must be carried in a special bag (knitted hydrophobic cover) with a shoulder strap. Often these products are equipped with intercoms for convenient and easy communication and voice transmission.

• Civil Is a product designed to be used in the event of military conflicts or emergencies in peacetime. The non-working population is usually supplied with such devices by the state, and employers are responsible for the working personnel.

• Baby - filtering children's models of gas masks can be used as civil defense. These products are of optimal size for a child. The most commonly used units are designed for use by children from 1.5 to 7 years old.

Modern gas masks with a filtering part are also divided according to the types of filters themselves. The latter are subdivided into classes.

• 1 class. This category includes protective products that have a filter with a low filtration level. Such devices can protect a person only from fine dust, in which there are no serious chemical components.

• Grade 2. It includes varieties of gas masks that are suitable for domestic use. In such circumstances, a person may be exposed to various small toxins, corrosive smoke or substances that are formed during the combustion of oil products.

• Grade 3. These are the most practical and effective filtering gas masks that will become excellent human helpers in protection from harmful and dangerous substances. Often just such products are used during enemy chemical attacks or during man-made disasters.

Filtering masks must be of high quality, perfectly executed.

Let's take a closer look at some of the most popular brands that produce modern filter gas masks.

• LLC "Breeze-Kama". A major Russian developer producing high-quality personal protective equipment for the population. The company's products are created both for military operations and for all sorts of emergencies. In the assortment of "Briz-Kama" there are many high-quality filtering gas masks, half masks with replaceable filters, various accessories, hearing protection.

• "Zelinsky group". An enterprise that combines the power of 4 factories at once. "Zelinsky group" produces high-quality protective goods in the widest range. All products are characterized by impeccable performance and convenience. The manufacturer offers not only filtering gas masks, but also respirators, half masks, filters and many other personal protective equipment.

• Yurteks. It is a large company that supplies industrial enterprises with instrumentation and personal protective equipment. In the assortment of "Yurteks" there are many reliable filtering gas masks, among which there are devices designed for use in extinguishing a fire.

• Balama. An organization rich in manufactured products.The assortment of "Balam" is very rich. There are a variety of models of gas masks here. You can pick up a good civilian model that meets all the requirements and standards.

• MS GO "Screen". A large organization that has been successfully operating in the personal protective equipment market since 1992. MC GO "Ekran" manages civil defense and emergency situations, manufactures high-quality protective products, and supplies fire-fighting equipment. The products of this manufacturer are characterized by unsurpassed quality, high reliability and convenience. You can trust the filtering gas masks MS GO "Ekran" without fear that they will let you down at the most serious moment.

• Technoavia. The manufacturer produces good and relatively inexpensive filter gas masks and accessories for them. Products belong to different classes and brands, designed for different operating conditions. Among them there are examples with larger masks and goggles that are not subject to fogging. The company also offers additional filtering parts of various sizes - there are small, medium, and large varieties. In addition, Technoavia produces medical clothing, branded clothing and footwear, aviation items, masks and half masks, self-rescuers and even first aid equipment - the assortment is huge.

Modern filtering gas masks are of the highest quality, reliability and unsurpassed protective capabilities (in accordance with their class and type). But these products will be useless if you do not follow the rules of their use. It is important to wear the gas mask correctly and store it correctly.

It can be a cloud or fog with an uncharacteristic color. You can take up the product even if you receive a signal that the area is contaminated with toxic substances. Only then does it make sense to wear a filter gas mask. This should be done as follows:

• in order not to suddenly lose consciousness, you should hold your breath, close your eyes;
• if you are wearing a hat, you must first remove it;
• take out the filtering personal protective equipment, put it on, first sticking your chin into its lower half (meaning the bottom of the gas mask);
• make sure that there are no folds on the product (if you find such defects, you will need to straighten them immediately);
• now you can exhale and calmly open your eyes.

In whatever area you use the filter gas mask, it is very important to store it properly. This means that you should not throw it in the first place that comes along. Try to keep the product as far as possible from the heating appliances in the house. It is advisable to store the protective equipment where it will not be subject to possible mechanical damage - follow this. You should disassemble and put on such a thing only as needed - you should not often take out a gas mask for the sake of a joke or for entertainment and "try on" it on yourself. However, you may well accidentally damage it.

Always make sure that the parts of the gas mask are not covered with condensation. Subsequently, this can lead to rusting of the metal components of the product.

What is inside the gas mask filter, see below.