Sciencemadness Discussion Board

The Placebo Respirator?

Rhodanide - 3-11-2017 at 05:32

Alrighty, question for y'all. I've owned a Czech M-10 gas mask for two years and have been using it for everything between NO2 and Chloramine. My question is this: Do I need to get replacement filters? Am I just breathing in nasty stuff and not even noticing it due to some form of the Placebo effect?
What would you guys recommend?

Thanks,
-Tetra/Rhodanide

CouchHatter - 3-11-2017 at 08:59

I replace the cartridges in my 3M 6900 respirator every 6 months religiously, per instructions. I didn't use it again after its initial use for maybe 10-15 months but could tell a distinct difference between the old and new cartridges' effectiveness. And I have an awful sense of smell. Maybe yours are of a higher quality, or maybe it's not quite apples to apples. Mine is rated for anything and everything so maybe it's still quite safe to use for 90% of things even after a year. I am no expert on safety, though, and it's a small price for me to pay for peace of mind. I can get a package of cartridges here for $24.

Lewis Acid - 3-11-2017 at 09:14

If you are worried at all then you should replace the canister. Especially as you admit you have put the current one through it's paces, it certainly won't be at peak efficiency even if it is still working. No question about it, get it replaced!

Rhodanide - 3-11-2017 at 10:27

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

ELRIC - 3-11-2017 at 12:23

Hey Tetra,

If you were to wear glasses in that respirator, would they fog up on you?

[Edited on 3-11-2017 by ELRIC]

Rhodanide - 5-11-2017 at 12:34

Quote: Originally posted by ELRIC  
Hey Tetra,

If you were to wear glasses in that respirator, would they fog up on you?

[Edited on 3-11-2017 by ELRIC]


I see no reason to, as they already include viewing ports. It's a FFGM - Full-Face Gas Mask. The ports do fog up a bit sometimes, but only that.

aga - 5-11-2017 at 13:06

Wearing a gas-mask does have a kind of placebo effect, which is more of a 'false sense of safety' effect.

I once inhaled a few lung-fulls of dioxane before i realised that the filters were doing nothing.

[Edited on 5-11-2017 by aga]

ELRIC - 6-11-2017 at 03:59

Quote: Originally posted by Tetra  
Quote: Originally posted by ELRIC  
Hey Tetra,

If you were to wear glasses in that respirator, would they fog up on you?

[Edited on 3-11-2017 by ELRIC]


I see no reason to, as they already include viewing ports. It's a FFGM - Full-Face Gas Mask. The ports do fog up a bit sometimes, but only that.


I meant glasses that you wear for corrected vision. I ask because I would like one of

these, but I believe my glasses would fog over

Rhodanide - 6-11-2017 at 06:51

Quote: Originally posted by ELRIC  
Quote: Originally posted by Tetra  
Quote: Originally posted by ELRIC  
Hey Tetra,

If you were to wear glasses in that respirator, would they fog up on you?

[Edited on 3-11-2017 by ELRIC]


I see no reason to, as they already include viewing ports. It's a FFGM - Full-Face Gas Mask. The ports do fog up a bit sometimes, but only that.


I meant glasses that you wear for corrected vision. I ask because I would like one of

these, but I believe my glasses would fog over

Ohhhh, gotcha gotcha. If they're not large frame, then they MIGHT fit, but I haven't tried with my own pair because I only use them for driving :D.
The only way it to try it yourself! They'll probably for up though, if you ask me.

EDIT: consider contacts

[Edited on 6-11-2017 by Tetra]

Lurker - 6-11-2017 at 09:11

Quote: Originally posted by Tetra  
Ohhhh, gotcha gotcha. If they're not large frame, then they MIGHT fit, but I haven't tried with my own pair because I only use them for driving :D.
The only way it to try it yourself! They'll probably for up though, if you ask me.

EDIT: consider contacts

[Edited on 6-11-2017 by Tetra]

This comes to mind:

"Everyone present in the lab must at all times wear splash goggles that comply with the ANSI Z87.1 standard. Standard eyeglasses or shop goggles do not provide adequate protection, because they are not designed to prevent splashed liquids from getting into your eyes. Eyeglasses may be worn under the goggles, but contact lenses are not permitted in the lab. (Corrosive chemicals can be trapped between a contact lens and your eye, making it difficult to flush the corrosive chemical away.)"

-- Robert Bruce Thomson, Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments