Can you protect yourself from toxic gas and asbestos with a mask?

Is a mask effective against toxic gas and asbestos?

A dust filtering mask provides no protection from toxic gas, asbestos or suffocation from lack of air. Firefighters and other emergency responders with potential for intense exposures often need respirators designed for such special situations. A respirator equipped with a 3-way combination cartridge (organic vapor plus particulate plus acid gas) provides protection from toxic or noxious fumes and gases from burning materials, decomposing flesh, and sewage line breaks. A supplied air-type respirator must be used in oxygen deficient areas.

If you don't know what these devices are, ask your supervisor. Regardless of type, all respirator filters, cartridges, and canisters should be replaced whenever damaged or contaminated, or if breathing becomes difficult while the respirator is being used.

Some rescue and recovery workers have been observed applying a dollop of mentholated or other pungent salve under the nose above the upper lip to overwhelm all other odors. Workers using respirators fitted with organic vapor and gas cartridge or a combination cartridge should not do this because odors detected by workers when wearing these respirators alert the user that toxic gases are leaking into the respirator.

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