People panic buying gas masks, in fear of chemical or biological terrorist attacks, would have to get the right type and wear it constantly to have any protection, according to a British expert. The buying frenzy is a clear sign that people have over-estimated the risk of such an attack, he says.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an over-reaction and that鈥檚 a sign people don鈥檛 have the information they need,鈥� says John Eldridge, editor of Jane鈥檚 Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence. 鈥淪ome perspective from the government would be useful.鈥�
Sales of gas masks in the US and the UK have soared since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center towers in New York. Colin Griffith of Thatchreed Ltd, an army surplus wholesaler based in Bedfordshire, said on Tuesday there is no sign of a slow down.
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鈥淲e鈥檝e sold literally thousands to shops in the UK since yesterday morning and it鈥檚 continuing today,鈥� says Griffith. 鈥淲e鈥檙e totally gobsmacked.鈥�
Fine filter
Standard issue British army gas masks would protect against airborne biological weapons that cause most damage when inhaled, like anthrax, says Eldridge. The masks have a fine filter to sift tiny particles, such as anthrax spores, from the air.
Behind the filter is a disc of highly porous 鈥渁ctivated鈥� carbon, that traps mustard gas and nerve agents. Treating the carbon can make it an effective block against poisons like cyanide too, Eldridge says.
But Eldridge warns that members of the public could easily buy a gas mask that would be virtually useless. 鈥淵ou need to know what you鈥檙e looking for 鈥� often you won鈥檛 know how old it is, what it鈥檚 been used for, and where it鈥檚 from,鈥� he says. Since the filters and activated carbon discs need changing after use, it is hard to know how effective a mask will be.
Early warning
Eldridge also points out that no matter how good the mask is, it will not do much good unless you have prior warning of an attack.
鈥淎 mask is only effective if you put it on beforehand. Otherwise you鈥檙e locking the stable door once the horse has bolted,鈥� he says. Eldridge also notes that gas masks are give no protection against agents that target the skin.
The first signs of a terrorist attack could be when people start showing symptoms. 鈥淭he trick is to be able to identify the nature of the attack early on,鈥� says Eldridge. Anthrax infections take between two to seven days to develop, but can be treated with strong antibiotics if caught soon enough.