What is a Gas Mask or Respirator?
There are basically 3 types of gas masks or respirators. Air-purifying respirator or gas mask as it is also known, protects the eyes as well as the mouth. A gas mask does NOT contain a supply of oxygen. It removes or neutralizes contaminants from inhaled air and must be used only in areas where there is sufficient oxygen to sustain life. The advantages of the gas mask is they easy to use and the cost is the least. The drawbacks to a gas mask are they can leak around the face seal from a poor fit or from a crack or hole in the mask rubber. You cannot have any facial hair if you want to get a proper seal with a gas mask. Also, children may have trouble getting a proper fit. Breathing resistance in a gas mask is often quite high and in some instances may be too difficult for a child or the elderly to overcome. This can result in a loss of air supply to the child and may place the child at greater risk. There is no gas masks currently on the market that have been designed or approved by th
