# Is A $15 Gas Mask As Good As A $250 Gas Mask? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 20, 2016, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-15-gas-mask-as-good-as-a-250-gas-mask/772554 "2016-11-20T17:21:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2016, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-15-gas-mask-as-good-as-a-250-gas-mask/772554/1 "2016-11-20T17:21:36Z")
I’ve been looking at gas masks online, and prices are all over the place, from about $15 to well over $250. Is there that big of a difference in quality? I don’t plan on conducting chemical warfare. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2016, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-15-gas-mask-as-good-as-a-250-gas-mask/772554/2 "2016-11-20T17:27:19Z")
What are you planning to use it for, and how often? ---
**Author:** ![Me\_Billy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Me\_Billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Me_Billy)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2016, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-15-gas-mask-as-good-as-a-250-gas-mask/772554/3 "2016-11-20T17:29:00Z")
I suppose you could get a very good quality used military surplus gas mask. Note these are generally designed to filter out SPECIFIC particulates or gases. Many have “cartridges” which are designed/rated to filter out specific things. To learn all about this, search for the following terms NIOSH respirator respirator cartridge P100 N95 respirator Particulate respirator Here is a good starting link… > **[Respirators | NIOSH | CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/respirators/)** > > Respirators protect the user in two basic ways. The first is by the removal of contaminants from the air. Respirators of this type include particulate respirators, which filter out airborne particles; and “gas masks” which filter out chemicals and... And be aware that farmers use these when spraying on their tractors as well as construction types. So an Agricultural Store or Industrial Safety store would carry some of these. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2016, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-15-gas-mask-as-good-as-a-250-gas-mask/772554/4 "2016-11-20T17:56:24Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > What are you planning to use it for, and how often? Once, on the off chance that tear gas is deployed on the Women’s March on Washington on January 21. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2016, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-15-gas-mask-as-good-as-a-250-gas-mask/772554/5 "2016-11-20T18:22:14Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > Once, on the off chance that tear gas is deployed on the Women’s March on Washington on January 21. You should get the $250 model. Just to be on the safe side. And shave your face for a better fit. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2016, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-15-gas-mask-as-good-as-a-250-gas-mask/772554/6 "2016-11-20T19:04:12Z")
What really would your gas mask be used for? Industrial Particulates / Hazardous Chemicals - depends on precisely what you are screening. Go to industrial supply catalogs for those types of jobs. Considering the potential health effects a personal gas mask is not a purchase where I would be economizing. Meth cooking - needs protection from below. Really might be better to use full hazmat suit vs mask. Anhydrous ammonia Nitric acid Hydrochloric acid Lithium Red Phosphorous White gas Protests where tear gas is expected - Use the same gas masks police use [http://www.approvedgasmasks.com/mask-gas.htm](http://www.approvedgasmasks.com/mask-gas.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2016, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-15-gas-mask-as-good-as-a-250-gas-mask/772554/7 "2016-11-21T10:24:49Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > Once, on the off chance that tear gas is deployed on the Women’s March on Washington on January 21. Almost anything will be fine, especially if you’re buying it with an unused, sealed filter. Preferably a NATO filter. Filters vary by application. You have military NBC filters, industrial vapor filters, particulate filters… different certifying agencies, NIOSH, OSHA, NATO, etc… Just about any mask that fits your face will be fine if you’re just getting it to allow you to safely leave after the tear gas is deployed. If you’re looking for something that is going to let you continue to break windows and toss molotav cocktails, then spend a little bit more. Keep in mind, that the ones with dual eye windows that sit close to the face actually allow you to see better and more of your surroundings than the the ones with a full face window. Go with something military surplus, like an M40 if you can afford it. Again, if you’re just needing something to get you out of the street when the gas is launched, almost any mask with a new filter will be fine. It’s just tear gas; not really a big deal. Post a couple links of what you’re thinking about buying, and I’ll let you know the pros and cons. FWIW, before I joined the Army I worked for a company that sold (among other things), M95 gas masks. This was at the height of the Anthrax scare, so we sold a ton of them. But I got a lot of training and knowledge from the distributors coming through to train us up. And, of course, I’ve had a bit from the military where we use M40 masks which are being replaced with M50s. I’ve used them in tear gas environments quite a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2016, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-15-gas-mask-as-good-as-a-250-gas-mask/772554/8 "2016-11-21T14:45:05Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > Once, on the off chance that tear gas is deployed on the Women’s March on Washington on January 21. That seems… a bit excessive. I mean, I’m going, and I’m bringing granola bars. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2016, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-15-gas-mask-as-good-as-a-250-gas-mask/772554/9 "2016-11-21T15:04:20Z")
You might also want to think about the political optics of it. Someone who shows up to a protest with a gas mask sends a very different message from someone who shows up with granola bars. ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2016, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-15-gas-mask-as-good-as-a-250-gas-mask/772554/10 "2016-11-21T15:26:29Z")
_“I’ve come to play.”_ ? ---
**Author:** ![Ignotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecc23a/32.png) [@Ignotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignotus)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2016, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-15-gas-mask-as-good-as-a-250-gas-mask/772554/11 "2016-11-21T15:49:28Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > Once, on the off chance that tear gas is deployed on the Women’s March on Washington on January 21. You might actually be breaking the law. > [@](#): > > DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (Washington, D.C.) > § 22-3312.03. Wearing hoods or masks. > (a) No person or persons over 16 years of age, while wearing any mask, hood, or device whereby any portion of the face is hidden, concealed, or covered as to conceal the identity of the wearer, shall: > > (1) Enter upon, be, or appear upon any lane, walk, alley, street, road highway, or other public way in the District of Columbia; > > (2) Enter upon, be, or appear upon or within the public property of the District of Columbia; or > > (3) Hold any manner of meeting or demonstration. > > (b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section apply only if the person was wearing the hood, mask, or other device: > > (1) With the intent to deprive any person or class of persons of equal protection of the law or of equal privileges and immunities under the law,\*\* or for the purpose of preventing or hindering the constituted authorities of the United States or the District of Columbia from giving or securing for all persons within the District of Columbia equal protection of the law\*\*; > > (2) With the intent, by force or threat of force, to injure, intimidate, or interfere with any person because of his or her exercise of any right secured by federal or District of Columbia laws, or to intimidate any person or any class of persons from exercising any right secured by federal or District of Columbia laws; > > (3) With the intent to intimidate, threaten, abuse, or harass any other person; > > (4) With the intent to cause another person to fear for his or her personal safety, or, where it is probable that reasonable persons will be put in fear for their personal safety by the defendant’s actions, with reckless disregard for that probability; or > > (5) While engaged in conduct prohibited by civil or criminal law, with the intent of avoiding identification. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2016, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-15-gas-mask-as-good-as-a-250-gas-mask/772554/12 "2016-11-21T16:08:35Z")
Those laws apply to the wearing of masks. Simply having them on your person isn’t breaking the law. If shit hits the fan to the point where you need to break out the mask, what law it might be breaking is going to be pretty far down your list of immediate concerns. I brought a military surplus gas mask to the Million Man March in '95. Kept it in my backpack. Didn’t need it thankfully, and sold it when I got back home. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2016, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-15-gas-mask-as-good-as-a-250-gas-mask/772554/13 "2016-11-21T16:36:09Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > That seems… a bit excessive. I mean, I’m going, and I’m bringing granola bars. That’s just silly. How are you going to eat a granola bar through your gas mask? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2016, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-15-gas-mask-as-good-as-a-250-gas-mask/772554/14 "2016-11-21T17:52:20Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > That’s just silly. How are you going to eat a granola bar through your gas mask? 😛 “Mmm, spicy!” I’ll bring extra granola bars, even. If you can find me, you can have two! I’m not sure that you can even have a backpack or anything in a gathering like that, so I was also planning on breaking out my good old cargo pants. I might also bring some dried apricots. I am definitely also bringing some toilet paper, because you never know. If it really goes down gask-mask style I would assume getting trampled would be a much bigger threat; there are going to be a _lot_ of people there. ETA - and frankly I cannot imagine anything better for the cause than the optics of a goon squad gassing a bunch of nice ladies. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-15-gas-mask-as-good-as-a-250-gas-mask/772554/15 "2016-11-21T19:24:38Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > I might also bring some dried apricots. I am definitely also bringing some toilet paper, because you never know. > > If it really goes down gask-mask style I would assume getting trampled would be a much bigger threat; there are going to be a _lot_ of people there. > > ETA - and frankly I cannot imagine anything better for the cause than the optics of a goon squad gassing a bunch of nice ladies. I’m bringing water bottles, my cell phone, and a spare charger, and probably a gas mask. I intend to stay at the edge in case the thing turns pear-shaped, so I can get out quickly. No, I will not be throwing mazel tov cocktails (as some Fox News pundit put it). And for those who think the police busting up a peaceful protest with tear gas is outside of the possibility, you guys do realize who will be POTUS that day, right? ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2016, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-15-gas-mask-as-good-as-a-250-gas-mask/772554/16 "2016-11-21T19:41:21Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > —snip— > > ETA - and frankly I cannot imagine anything better for the cause than the optics of a goon squad gassing a bunch of **nice ladies**. _my bolding_ I think you misspelled “nasty women”. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2016, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-15-gas-mask-as-good-as-a-250-gas-mask/772554/17 "2016-11-21T20:39:35Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > ETA - and frankly I cannot imagine anything better for the cause than the optics of a goon squad gassing a bunch of nice ladies. Create, preserve, what’s the difference? **Serious question** : Are gas masks rated in terms of specific chemicals? When I think of civilian gas masks, I think of things designed to keep particulates (not particular particulates, just general particulates) out of the lungs, so putting them up against an aerosolized oil or a gas might end with more of the nasty stuff near the nose and mouth, after it infiltrates the pores and begins to stick to stuff. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-15-gas-mask-as-good-as-a-250-gas-mask/772554/18 "2016-11-22T02:00:34Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > …And for those who think the police busting up a peaceful protest with tear gas is outside of the possibility, you guys do realize who will be POTUS that day, right? (post shortened) Police are currently using pepper spray and CS gas to break up groups of people who are blocking streets and highways, throwing rocks and bricks, and busting windows. You realize who is POTUS today, right? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-15-gas-mask-as-good-as-a-250-gas-mask/772554/19 "2016-11-22T02:52:33Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > Create, preserve, what’s the difference? > > **Serious question** : Are gas masks rated in terms of specific chemicals? When I think of civilian gas masks, I think of things designed to keep particulates (not particular particulates, just general particulates) out of the lungs, so putting them up against an aerosolized oil or a gas might end with more of the nasty stuff near the nose and mouth, after it infiltrates the pores and begins to stick to stuff. Yes, filters and masks are rated for various uses. Dust particles, vapors, chemicals, biological agents, nuclear fallout, chemwarfare gases, Sarin, etc. The filter canister allows oxygen laden air thru and (hopefully) keeps the life-threatening stuff out. You may need a hood-mask-filter cannister combo for the really nasty stuff. Or a full body suit. It’s very important that the mask fit tightly, and securely, against your face. People in need may want to borrow your mask while your still wearing it. Beards, and long hair, can prevent the mask from sealing properly. It’s also important the the mask be easy to put on quickly, and that it be easy to adjust and tighten quickly. You know, before its too late. Some masks have eyeglass frames that fit within the mask. You’ll have to have lenses made to match the frame and your prescription. You may want to consider mask/filter canisters that accomidate a drinking tube. Party on, **Derleth**. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-15-gas-mask-as-good-as-a-250-gas-mask/772554/20 "2016-11-22T03:34:25Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > (post shortened) > > Police are currently using pepper spray and CS gas to break up groups of people who are blocking streets and highways, throwing rocks and bricks, and busting windows. You realize who is POTUS today, right? Obama is still president today last time I checked. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-15-gas-mask-as-good-as-a-250-gas-mask/772554.md?page=2)