Gas masks can help shield you from a variety of atmospheric threats. Different filters protect against specific hazards. These masks are designed to filter out harmful substances from the air, including gases, vapors, and particulates. We will briefly overview each mask, including its features, pros, and cons. Whether you are a first responder, industrial worker, or concerned citizen, this guide will help you choose the best gas mask.
The 4A1 youth gas mask is an excellent choice if you live in a wildfire-prone area. This mask can filter out toxic smoke and even CS gas.
Many older military or civilian gas masks can’t be adapted to use modern filters. This can be because they’re obsolete, filled with asbestos, or cannot fit your face.
Avon M50
Often the choice of military CBRNE experts, this above-the-neck mask is lightweight with a slick system of accessories. The system includes a mask carrier for complete storage, a manual, two filters, and an innovative voice projection unit that eliminates muffled voices while enhancing the clarity of communication with other people. It also features a decontamination filter cover ideal for showering in contaminated environments and a pair of outserts to optimize vision for various situations (mirror, clear, sunlight, blue blocker).
The dual filters reduce breathing resistance and weight and have a shelf-life indicator patch that turns white when no longer serviceable. The mask face blanks also have self-sealing filter mounts, making changing filters in a contaminated environment easy.
The visor has an optically correct design for a superior field of view and can be fitted with prescription lenses. Outserts can be added for various uses, including laser protection, tinting for sunny conditions, breach detection, and more. The only drawback to this system is that it lacks a voice diaphragm for better speech intelligibility.
MSA Millenium
This CBRN riot control mask from MSA is built for high performance, comfort, and efficiency. It uses standard NATO 40mm filter canisters and is NIOSH-approved to protect against tear gas, CS and CN gases, and P100 particulate. It can also be fitted with a hood for head cover protection and a drinking tube for hydration. It has swappable filter ports mounted on either side, allowing weapon sighting. Its internal nose cup features 2 valves that deflect air from the lens to reduce fogging.
The MSA Millenium can be paired with several accessories, including the ESP voice amplifier (which can also be used on other MSA masks such as the Advantage 1000), spectacle kits, cover lenses, and a butyl head-covering hood. It also has a 6-point head harness that is easy to put on and adjust, reduces hair pulling, and provides a comfortable fit.
A wide field of view and flexibility make this mask perfect for law enforcement, military, and first responders. It’s lightweight and has a padded strap to eliminate pinch points, while its large face piece allows it to deform slightly when shouldering a firearm without interfering with the gun sights.
M15 Military Mask
A very comfortable to wear a gas mask. This is Israel’s standard and well-known military respirator. It’s been used by the Israeli Defense Forces and law enforcement for decades. It offers full-face, eye, and respiratory protection against all known NBC agents.
This model features a clear visor with an improved field of view. The soft rubber construction makes it easy to fit and comfortable to wear. The adjustable straps can be tightened to accommodate facial size and shape. The M15 can also be worn with a beard, but the beard must be trimmed or shaved for maximum comfort.
The 40MM NATO filter with this mask is designed to offer protection from Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) agents while offering clean oxygen. This lightweight, protective face mask provides a comfortable, secure fit for mature users. It’s essential for everybody who wants to be ready for anything. This is an authentic GI surplus item. Shipped to the U.S. only. ABSOLUTELY NO EXPORT SALES. NO RETURNS. Consider using an Accessories Discount Code to make this essential item even more affordable.
Opti-Fit CBRN
The Opti-Fit CBRN offers respiratory protection from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats and toxic industrial chemicals. The riot control canister for this mask protects against CN and CS, while the built-in P100 filter protects against particulates such as pepper spray. Designed for first responders, this gas mask is lightweight and features three canister-mounting locations. It is also easy to wear with its five-point strap and has a great field of vision.
The superior Survivair Opti-Fit lens provides a virtually distortion-free field of view, making it ideal for situations where line-of-sight vision is critical. The mask meets ANSI impact and penetration requirements. It is also equipped with a standard nose cup to reduce fogging, and it has DIN-threaded 40 mm connectors that make attaching filters quick and straightforward. This riot control gas mask is NIOSH-approved when paired with the model 1688 canister, which protects a-chloracetophenone (CN) and o-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS). The mask, canister, and filters are sold separately. The Opti-Fit CBRN is available in three sizes: small, medium, and large.
3M 60926 P95 Organic Vapors
Military gas masks can be purchased, but not everyone is equal. If you want a CBRN-capable gas mask, ensure it is marked as such and comes with the appropriate filter. CBRN stands for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear and refers to the type of threats a mask is designed to handle.
Another option is a non-CBRN-capable military-style gas mask that can be used with third-party 40mm NBC filters. The MIRA CM-6M is one such example. This is the type of mask that law enforcement and soldiers use, and when paired with suitable filters, it can offer protection against all four NBC threat categories. Remember to use a MIRA Safety Promo Code for the best deal on this versatile gas mask.
The MIRA CM-6M is also an inexpensive way to get an industrial-grade gas mask that can be used with suitable NBC filters. It’s a good choice for those who don’t want to spend much money but still need protection against airborne threats, especially those related to disease or fallout from a nuclear attack.
Honeywell Sperian Survivair Opti-Fit CBRN
The Opti-Fit CBRN is made for tactical and riot control situations and protects against chemical weapons like GB and CS. It also protects against nuclear, biological, and radiological threats, including alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. The mask includes canisters, filters, and accessories, but the cartridges are sold separately.
Respirators are an essential piece of prep gear that many people overlook. They’re inexpensive, weigh little, and take up minimal space in your bag, but many people don’t need help understanding the lingo or the best type of mask for emergencies (bandanas and dust masks aren’t respirators!).
Masks are rated by the level of airborne particles they can stop, with N95 and P100 being standard in hospital settings. These contain tiny particulates such as sawdust or sneezed cold viruses but do nothing to filter out gases, ultrafine particles, and even most liquids. Gas masks are different — they include absorbent materials that bind to chemicals and sop them up instead of blocking them. That means they’re more useful in an emergency, such as a bomb blast or a nuclear disaster than simple filtering masks.
3M 8576 P95 Acid Gas
The 8576 Particulate Respirator with Nuisance Level Acid Gas Relief comes in a Box of 10. This disposable respirator helps provide quality, reliable worker respiratory protection for environments with oil and non-oil-based particles and nuisance levels of acid gases (sulfur dioxide, hydrogen fluoride, and chlorine). This mask features the 3M Cool Flow Exhalation Valve that vents hot, humid exhaled breath quickly to help reduce heat build-up inside the facepiece. It also includes a soft inner material and an adjustable M nose clip for increased comfort and fewer pressure points.
The filter material provides 95% filtration efficiency against certain oil and non-oil-based aerosol particles. The carbon layer in this respirator also relieves nuisance levels of acid gases.
3M 7093 P95 Particulate
The 3M 7093 Particulate Filter is a particulate filter used in a respirator to help reduce exposure to certain airborne particles. NIOSH is approved for environments containing certain oil and non-oil-based particles and nuisance-level organic vapors and gases.
This disposable filter features a carbon layer that removes nuisance levels of organic vapors, which is especially helpful in areas with toxic lead dust and other particles. It also helps to protect against a range of hazardous fumes and dust in welding, brazing, torch cutting, metal pouring, soldering, and more.
It’s an excellent option for renovating older homes where lead and other toxic dust particles can become airborne during removal. It’s also a good choice for those working in mold cleanup and remediation or those cleaning up after disasters like natural flooding or fires. It is water and flame-resistant, which makes it useful in wet or high-heat environments. It fits 6000 and 7500 series half mask respirators, Scott AV-3000 HT, and AV-3000 SureSeal facepiece respirators with bayonet filter holders.
Conclusion
Investing in a high-quality gas mask is essential for protecting yourself against airborne particles. With the wide range of options available, including the 8 best gas masks we’ve discussed, you can find a mask that suits your needs and budget. Remember to prioritize masks with multiple layers of filtration and a comfortable fit to ensure maximum protection and ease of use. Stay safe and protected with a suitable gas mask for your needs.
