David Honig wrote:
At 03:03 PM 10/5/01 -0700, Tim May wrote:
On Friday, October 5, 2001, at 02:39 PM, James B. DiGriz wrote:
Still don't feel the need for a gas mask.
Nor should you. They won't work for the obvious reasons, oft-discussed.
They can be useful. Sarin, being volitile (gone in half an hour) mostly causes injury via inhalation. VX, being nonvolitile (2 weeks), causes injury mostly by contact.
The Israelis *also* sealed a room, and would sit in that room with masks on. Since buildings exchange gasses slowly with the outside, they could survive a cloud that dissipates.
YMMV.
Using masks with HEPA filters will keep the bulk of anthrax spores out of your airway. Probably below the 4,000-12,000 reputedly needed for infection, Lot better than nothing, and buys you some options. If you have newer model vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter you could positively pressurize a reasonably well sealed room with filtered outside air for a while, or fabricate a dust hood/mask, with some poly and good old duct tape. Still don't feel the need. jbdigriz