Urine gasmasks?

[skittz]

I heard a rumor not long ago that if you happen to be unfortunate enough to be in an area where there is a chemical irritant in the air (teargas for example), urinating on a rag or piece of cloth and breathing through it can be just as effective as a traditional gasmask if done right. Although the reasoning was not explained to me, I can only think it might have something to do with urine being a byproduct of the kidneys, which serve to filter poisons out of our bodies.

Anyone know if there’s any truth to this rumor? My few initial google searches came up with a bit about urine neutralizing chlorine, but not enough information was given to really make an assertion whether or not the rumor is true.

[Casey1505]

The ammonia in urine neutralized the chlorine in some of the gasses used in WWI. I don’t think it is effective against gasses used nowadays.

[FlyingRamenMonster]

And whatever good breathing through a urine-soaked rag might do for you, it’s not because it was filtered through your kidneys. That just makes it clean, nothing else.

[PatriotX]

I vaguely remember something to this effect from my seventh grade research into WWI. Apparently, urine rags beat coughing your lungs up.

[Walton_Firm]

Isn’t it just that any water-soaked rag will offer some limited protection as a makeshift filter, and urine was mentioned because sometimes it’s the only liquid you have on hand?

[HMS_Irruncible]

@Walton Firm

Isn’t it just that any water-soaked rag will offer some limited protection as a makeshift filter, and urine was mentioned because sometimes it’s the only liquid you have on hand?

That’s my bet. Urine would only be better at neutralization if you’d let it ripen enough to become ammonia, and at that point, it would be just as noxious as whatever you’re trying to avoid breathing.

[scm1001]

@Casey1505

The ammonia in urine neutralized the chlorine in some of the gasses used in WWI. I don’t think it is effective against gasses used nowadays.

actually ammonia is very effective against most nerve and blister agents. Its just that the concentration of ammonia needed is too irritating by itself.

Ammonia derivatives (amines) are widely used in decontamination solutions for CW agents.

[TV_time]

@Walton Firm

…and urine was mentioned because sometimes it’s the only liquid you have on hand?

Hey, look sometimes my aim is a little off sure, on the seat, the floor, wall, ceiling, shoes, pants but never on hands…well, almost never.

[Rodd_Hill]

Ah, the Canadians at Ypres, April 22, 1915:

The types of protection initially handed out to the troops around Ypres following the first use of chlorine in April 1915 were primitive in the extreme. 100,000 wads of cotton pads were quickly manufactured and made available. These were dipped in a solution of bicarbonate of soda and held over the face.

Soldiers were also advised that holding a urine drenched cloth over their face would serve in an emergency to protect against the effects of chlorine.

By 1918 soldiers on both sides were far better prepared to meet the ever-present threat of a gas attack. Filter respirators (using charcoal or antidote chemicals) were the norm and proved highly effective, although working in a trench while wearing such respirators generally proved difficult and tiring.

(From: http://www.firstworldwar.com/weaponry/gas.htm)

[Shalmanese]

And besides… if I ever found myself in the middle of a poison gas attack, I think I would find myself with a urine soaked rag in fairly short order.

[Colibri]

@Shalmanese

And besides… if I ever found myself in the middle of a poison gas attack, I think I would find myself with a urine soaked rag in fairly short order.

Might be tough holding your nose to it, though, unless you are very flexible.

[Squink]

Organophosphorous based acetylcholinisterase inhibitors, such as diisopropyl fluorophosphate, are neutralized by base. A urine soaked rag would thus offer some protection against these nerve agents.

[seosamh]

My paternal grandfather served in the British Army in the Great War (he enlisted when drunk, just to get the King’s shilling which bought him either 3 or 4 more bottles of stout, depending on whether they were 3d or 4d each…) and was badly shell-shocked. I certainly remember him talking about pissing on his handkerchief but I just thought he was a raving loony. Turns out he was telling the truth!