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Gas masks for emergency preparedness: what to check
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Quick answer
A gas mask is a full facepiece respirator that filters air through a cartridge or canister. It does not supply oxygen. Check the approval first. NIOSH approves CBRN respirators for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazards, marked "CBRN" with a capacity level on the label, and CBRN canisters are olive. The 3M 6800 full facepiece is NIOSH approved with 3M cartridges for many gases, vapors and particles, but not for IDLH or oxygen-deficient air. MIRA Safety's CM-6M meets the European EN 136 Class III standard in its Czech model only. MIRA says its U.S.-assembled version is not yet NIOSH or CE certified. In a real chemical release, Ready.gov's first advice is to get to clean air or shelter in place.
What a gas mask can and cannot do
A mask filters the air you breathe through a cartridge or canister. It cannot make oxygen. NIOSH says CBRN air-purifying respirators must not be used in oxygen-deficient atmospheres. 3M says its 6000 Series full facepiece is not for environments that are immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) or oxygen deficient. Filters also wear out. NIOSH says CBRN air-purifying respirators should not be used beyond 8 hours after first exposure to vapor chemical warfare agents.
For households, a mask is a backup to a plan, not the plan. Ready.gov's chemical guidance centers on evacuating upwind when told to, or sheltering in an interior room with doors, windows and vents sealed, and listening to local officials.
Approvals: NIOSH, CBRN and CE
| Marking | What it means |
|---|---|
| NIOSH approved | U.S. approval of the facepiece and cartridges as a system. 3M says its 6000 Series full facepieces are NIOSH approved with its 6000 cartridges and 2000, 5000 and 7000 filters. |
| NIOSH CBRN | Approval for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazards. NIOSH says the full label shows "CBRN" with a capacity level such as Cap 1, and CBRN canisters are olive. |
| CE, EN 136 Class III | A European full-face mask standard. MIRA says its Czech-made CM-6M is CE certified to EN 136:1998 Class III. |
NIOSH also warns that using components not listed on a respirator's full approval label puts it outside its approval. Mixing a cartridge from one brand with a mask from another is not covered by either approval.
Cartridges vs 40 mm threaded filters
- Bayonet cartridges. 3M's full facepiece uses bayonet cartridges matched to the hazard. Its data sheet lists organic vapor (6001), acid gas (6002), multi-gas/vapor (6006), and combined versions with a P100 particle filter, such as 60926 (multi-gas/vapor plus P100).
- 40 mm threaded filters. MIRA's CM-6M has dual 40 mm filter ports, so you can mount a filter on the left or right side.
Match the filter to the hazard. A P100 particle filter alone does nothing against gases or vapors. Check the cartridge label for the specific gases it is approved for.
Two masks by the specs
| 3M 6800 (6000 Series) | MIRA Safety CM-6M | |
|---|---|---|
| Approval | NIOSH, with 3M cartridges and filters | CE, EN 136:1998 Class III (Czech model only). U.S.-assembled version not yet NIOSH or CE certified. |
| Sizes | 6700 small, 6800 medium, 6900 large | See maker |
| Filter mount | Bayonet, two cartridges | Dual 40 mm ports |
| Lens | Polycarbonate, ANSI Z87.1 high impact | Polycarbonate, EN 168 impact |
| Seal material | Silicone faceseal | Bromobutyl rubber |
| Drinking | None | Integrated system with 900 ml canteen |
| Shelf life | Not stated | Twenty years (mask) |
| Weight | About 411 g (0.9 lb) facepiece | Not stated |
| Warranty | See maker | 5 years |
3M says its facepieces are rated up to 10 times the OSHA permissible exposure limit when qualitatively fit tested, and up to 50 times when quantitatively fit tested, with approved 3M cartridges and filters.
Fit, practice and storage
- Fit is everything. 3M's protection factors depend on fit testing, and in U.S. workplaces it requires a written program with training, fit testing and medical evaluation under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134. At home, read the full user instructions and practice putting the mask on before you ever need it.
- Know when to swap. 3M's data sheet says some cartridges must be discarded by a set number of hours, or when you notice odors of the vapor or gas, whichever comes first.
- Store it ready. Keep the mask and sealed filters together in a bag where you can reach them, and note the dates on any sealed filters.
- Glasses. 3M sells a universal spectacle kit (102) for its full facepieces, and MIRA sells a spectacle kit for the CM-6M.
What to look for when you buy
NIOSH-approved full facepiece respirator (example: 3M 6800, medium)
Best for: Vapors, acid gases and dust with matched 3M cartridges
3M lists NIOSH approval with its 6000 cartridges and 2000, 5000 and 7000 filters, a silicone faceseal, ANSI Z87.1 high impact lens and three sizes.
Watch out: Not CBRN rated. Not for IDLH or oxygen-deficient air. Fit matters.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Multi-gas/vapor cartridges with P100 (example: 3M 60926)
Best for: Pairing with a 3M full facepiece for mixed gases and particles
3M's data sheet lists the 60926 as multi-gas/vapor plus a P100 particle filter, with more hazard classes checked than any other cartridge in its table.
Watch out: Replace on the schedule in the instructions or when you smell the contaminant.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)40 mm full face mask (example: MIRA Safety CM-6M)
Best for: Buyers who want a 40 mm filter mask with a drinking tube
MIRA lists dual 40 mm ports, a 900 ml canteen hydration system, a bromobutyl rubber body, a twenty-year shelf life, EN 168 lens impact and a 5 year warranty.
Watch out: Only the Czech model is CE certified to EN 136. MIRA says the U.S.-assembled version is not yet NIOSH or CE certified. Check which one a listing sells.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Questions people ask
- Do gas masks protect against everything?
- No. They only filter what their cartridge or canister is approved for, and they cannot supply oxygen. NIOSH says CBRN air-purifying respirators must not be used in oxygen-deficient air.
- How do I know if a gas mask is NIOSH CBRN approved?
- NIOSH says the full approval label lists "CBRN" with a capacity level, such as Cap 1, and CBRN canisters are olive. Components must match the approval label.
- What filter thread do gas masks use?
- Many use 40 mm threaded filters, like MIRA's CM-6M with dual 40 mm ports. 3M's full facepieces use bayonet cartridges instead.
- How long does a gas mask last in storage?
- It varies by maker. MIRA lists a twenty-year shelf life for the CM-6M. Check sealed filter dates separately.