Masks for CS & Tear Gas

There are various ways to protect and care for yourself when you are in situations where CS gas or a chemical agent is used:

• Should you find yourself in an environment where there is volatility or where a peaceful protest has escalated, be sure to cover as much of your skin as possible. Should CS gas be used, you want to prevent the chemical from direct contact to your skin which would cause irritation.
• Ensure you wear a face mask, like one from Cambridge Mask Co, that can protect against the harmful chemical gases and filter the air that you breathe. This would minimise the effects of CS gas on your respiratory system and breathing. It is also important to try relocate as soon as possible to an area that is safe and with less exposure to the gas or with cleaner air.
• There is no real antedote for CS or Tear gas. However, when exposed to either gas and to reduce the affects, the first step would be to try remove as many of the clothing items that had direct exposure to the gas when it was dispersed. This will ensure that the chemical has no direct contact with you or for it to be inhaled further, which could affect your breathing.
• For eye irritation, flush your eyes out with clean running water. This will help soothe any discomfort and irritation caused by the gas

When there crowd management is needed due to volatility, it is very common for law enforcement to deploy aerosols containing CS or Tear gas to disperse crowds and to ensure riot control. Should you find yourself in a situation where you are exposed or come into contact with these chemicals, then be sure to do the following:

• Move to Fresh Air: Fresh air is vital to prevent irritation to your respiratory system, so be sure to move or relocate to an area with fresh air as quickly as possible.
• Rinse Eyesyour eyes with plenty of clean water or saline solution to remove the irritant. Once you have rinsed your eyes, do not touch them with your hands or anything else that may be contaminated by the gas. This can result in the gas irritating the eyes again.
• Avoid Rubbing: Do not rub the eyes, as this can worsen the irritation and potentially cause damage. There is a very high chance that the chemical is on your hands, especially if they were not covered
• Remove Clothes: Remove your clothing as soon as possible and place the contaminated clothing in a plastic bag and seal it until you are ready to wash them. This helps prevent the gas particles from spreading, which can result in re-exposure. Be sure to also wash these items separately from your uncontaminated laundry.
• Seek Medical Attention: If symptoms persist or if there is concern about eye damage and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention as soon as possible. This will ensure you get the treatment you may need.

The Cambridge Mask employs a series of filters designed to ensure only the cleanest possible air. Composed of a total of three layers, each layer acts as a barrier to the various pollutants typically found in both indoor and outdoor air. The three-layered filter system is made up of a Primary Filter, a Three Ply-Micro Particulate Layer, and a Military Grade Activated Carbon Filter.

The Primary Filter

The Primary Filter is the Cambridge Masks first line of defence and filters larger particles such as dust and PM10. By way of a specialised sublimation process, the dye and textile of this filter are fused on a molecular level, meaning that when washed, the dye won’t fade.

Three Ply-Micro Particulate Layer

The Three Ply-Micro Particulate Layer serves as the masks second line of defence and blocks particulates such as PM2.5 – emissions typically emitted from the combustion of wood, gasoline, diesel, and oil. This layer also filters 99.7% of particles as small as PM0.3, because the high surface area captures a greater percentage of particles as they pass through the filter.

Military Grade Carbon Filter

Our PRO Mask is our most sought-after product. Unlike the BASIC Mask, it has an inner filter which is made from 100% pure activated carbon cloth – a product originally invented by the UK Ministry of Defence and developed for use in chemical, biological and nuclear warfare protection. We hold exclusive global rights to use of this material in a consumer mask, which makes our PRO Mask truly unique.

Frequently Asked Questions:

If my mask gets CS gas on it, do i need to throw it away?

You do not necessarily have to dispose of your mask if you get CS gas or Tear gas on it. However, it is best to decontaminate and clean your mask (or dispose of it if the mask you are wearing is a disposable mask). These chemicals can penetrate materials and linger over time, so cleaning your mask throughly is important to ensure all chemicals that can cause re-exposure, are no longer present. Be sure to also read any manual or guidelines from the manufacturer of your mask regarding decontaminating and cleaning.

Can CS gas cause blindness?

Like any chemical, there are risks associated with exposure. Exposure to these chemicals can cause severe or permanent injury to your eyes. While blindness is uncommon from these gases, long term or exposure at close range, can result in blindness, corneal erosion or nerve damage. So it is important to also ensure you have protective eye gear or a mask that covers your full face.

Do your basic masks protect against CS gas?

Cambridge Mask Co’s Basic Mask range can provide minimal protection against these chemicals compared to our Pro Mask Range that have an inner filter made from 100% activated carbon cloth and a valve to make the air you breathe safer, ensuring you are protected.

Do your pro masks protect against CS gas?

Yes - Our Pro Masks can provide protection against these chemicals. Our Pro Masks include an inner filter made from 100% activated carbon cloth developed by the UK Ministry of Defense for use in chemical, biological and nuclear warfare protection. You can learn more about our filtration technology here.