# Can I filter out ozone with a face mask? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 25, 2022, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-filter-out-ozone-with-a-face-mask/966849 "2022-06-25T16:54:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2022, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-filter-out-ozone-with-a-face-mask/966849/1 "2022-06-25T16:54:51Z")
We’ve been under ozone air quality warnings. They tell me to take it easy, and don’t go outside unnecessarily. I have 2 kinds of NIOSH-rated industrial filter masks; one with big pink filters for particulates, and the other with bigger filters for vapors. Will either of these help against ozone, or am I just screwed? The warnings are for children, old people, and those with lung or heart troubles. I am a 72-year-old guy with asthma and some heart trouble history. I need to get my exercise, whether indoors or out. Why? I want to get older, that’s why. What’s a codger to do? BTW, I checked a previous thread on a similar topic, but I came away feeling unsatisfied. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2022, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-filter-out-ozone-with-a-face-mask/966849/2 "2022-06-25T17:02:47Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > I have 2 kinds of NIOSH-rated industrial filter masks; one with big pink filters for particulates, and the other with bigger filters for vapors. Will either of these help against ozone, or am I just screwed? My initial assumption was no. Ozone is only one atom bigger than the regular oxygen in the air that you’re breathing (O3 vs O2). Turns out I’m wrong. > **[Laboratory evaluation of a disposable half-face mask for protection against...](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7149446/)** > > The ability of disposable half-face masks containing activated carbon to protect against inhaled ozone (O2) (nominal experimental exposure concentration, 0.5 ppm) was tested using a specially designed mechanical device simulating the breathing of a... > carbon-impregnated masks removed 96 to 98% of ambient O3, whereas masks with no carbon removed 32 to 37%. Volunteers experienced typical respiratory irritation and temporary loss of forced expiratory function during O3 exposures when they wore the masks without carbon. These untoward effects were substantially reduced when masks containing carbon were worn. > **[3M™ Half Facepiece Respirator Packout 07182, Medium, with 3M™ Particulate...](https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/v000152113/)** > > 3M recommended for use in brake and clutch repair where asbestos exposures may be found. > Nuisance level relief against organic vapours, and ozone protection up to 10 times the Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2022, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-filter-out-ozone-with-a-face-mask/966849/3 "2022-06-25T17:03:51Z")
Ozone is a gas so you’ll need something that adsorbs, absorbs, or reacts with it. Activated carbon should do the job. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2022, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-filter-out-ozone-with-a-face-mask/966849/4 "2022-06-25T17:38:36Z")
Thank you very much. @Joey_P , the 3M filter mask I have is almost identical to the one pictured in your link. I zoomed in to see it meets the same NIOSH standard. The thing makes my breathing sound like Darth Vader; but if this is what it takes to get me on the streets on my recumbent trike, I’m going for it.