Chemical Protection Provided by M17A Mask

File: aabxr_01.txt
Page: 01
Total Pages: 1
SUBJECT:  Chemical Protection Provided by M17A  Mask        




MEMORANDUM FOR AF/SGP                                                        7 DEC l990
AF/SGP
AF/SG
IN TURN 

SUBJECT: Chemical Protection Provided by M17A Gas Mask
	During a morning meeting on 7 Dec 90, General Miller asked Col McConnell
about the protection of individuals wearing the M17A gas mask when exposed to
combustion products of "sour crude". A fire of this type would produce
hydrogen sulfide as well as aldehydes, ketones, cyclic aromatics, other light
hydrocarbons, cyanide, etc. To get the answers I contacted  Capt David
Carpenter (OEHL/EHI) and Capt Brian Scott (occupational health resident at the
Chemical Warfare Defense School, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD.)
        
	  The M17A gas mask contains an activated charcoal filter and is equipped
with a high particulate air prefilter.   The mask is approved  by the
National  Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. It has a protection
factor of 2,000.  However, the amount of adsorbent in the mask filters is
inadequate to protect wearers against exposures to high concentrations of
crude oil combustion products for greater than 15 to 20 minutes.  Although the
mask provides protection against aced and sulfur compounds, it provides only
limited protection against light hydrocarbons, e.g., benzene, toluene, xylene,
methane, ethane, etc. Authorities indicated that these products would result
in filter breakthrough within 15 minutes and protection from all chemicals
would be lost.
       
                              [(b)(6)]
                            RICHARD L. SHAFER, Colonel, USAF, BSC
                            Chief' Environmental Health
                            Office of the Surgeon General