by MHM
20 October 2018
20 October 2018
With the end of the Cold War, the
availability of inexpensive gas masks from around the world has become quite
extensive. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, items such as once rare East
German military clothing and equipment, Soviet uniforms, pins, and medals,
etc., were easily found at local flea markets and online retailers. I managed
to pick up a few Soviet gas masks when I was stationed in Germany, but I sincerely doubt I’d ever use
them in an emergency. Instead, I picked up an Israeli mask and filter for contingencies.
However, those living close to industrial areas, rail traffic, ports, etc., should be aware of the types of chemicals which pass through their area. While the threat of the release of deadly chemicals or asphyxiants from a wreck are remote, it’s always good to have a plan in place and evacuate if necessary. Traveling across the US several years ago I passed at least three large trucks on fire on the interstate; no telling what the contents were (it should be noted that toxic fumes can be released from a number of burning plastics, foams, and chemical substances).
While extremely remote, the use of chemical agents or toxic substances by terrorists cannot be ruled out, as shown by the Aum Shinrikyo terrorist attacks in Japan in 1993 and 1995, and captured Al Qaida documents. In the Japan attacks, up to 20 people died after exposure to cult made sarin gas, with hundreds injured.
Having donned MOPP gear for hours on end for several years during NATO exercises, I really don’t foresee the need for MOPP gear in the continental US. However, such suits can found online for relatively low prices. An uncomfortable alternative is to make a short term, non ventilating ensemble using a rain suit and duct taping the seams (which will not afford the wearer much comfort). We wore our suits with rubber overbooties, and cotton gloves with rubber outer gloves (not to mention a hood), with M8 detection tape (simulated) on the legs and arms.
However, those living close to industrial areas, rail traffic, ports, etc., should be aware of the types of chemicals which pass through their area. While the threat of the release of deadly chemicals or asphyxiants from a wreck are remote, it’s always good to have a plan in place and evacuate if necessary. Traveling across the US several years ago I passed at least three large trucks on fire on the interstate; no telling what the contents were (it should be noted that toxic fumes can be released from a number of burning plastics, foams, and chemical substances).
While extremely remote, the use of chemical agents or toxic substances by terrorists cannot be ruled out, as shown by the Aum Shinrikyo terrorist attacks in Japan in 1993 and 1995, and captured Al Qaida documents. In the Japan attacks, up to 20 people died after exposure to cult made sarin gas, with hundreds injured.
Having donned MOPP gear for hours on end for several years during NATO exercises, I really don’t foresee the need for MOPP gear in the continental US. However, such suits can found online for relatively low prices. An uncomfortable alternative is to make a short term, non ventilating ensemble using a rain suit and duct taping the seams (which will not afford the wearer much comfort). We wore our suits with rubber overbooties, and cotton gloves with rubber outer gloves (not to mention a hood), with M8 detection tape (simulated) on the legs and arms.
During the Cold War, Soviet scientists
developed a number of interesting chemical and biological agents, to include
“yellow rain”, which was a mycotoxin (or as Leftist apologists call it, “bee
pollen”). The range of Soviet biological and chemical warfare agents is too
lengthy to list, but their use was documented in Yemen in the early 1960's by Egyptian
forces, during the 1980’s Iran-Iraq conflict, and by the Soviets in Afghanistan, and
by communist Vietnam against the Cambodians and Laotians in the '80's.
A wide range of combined bio agents were developed by the Soviets from the 1920’s onward, and are detailed in a book by former Soviet colonel Kanatzhan Alibekov (aka "Ken Alibek"), who documents the stockpiling of some rather frightening antibiotic resistant viruses.
The recent revelation of the Soviet development and use of Novichok nerve agent in Great Britain is of interest. Hardy the work of a “rogue agent”, such use is typical of past Soviet (and current Russian) assassination techniques by their security services. Novichok, which has been claimed to be five to eight times as lethal as VX nerve agent, also has the capability to bypass current NATO filters upon exposure (not to mention any filtering system in any building, etc). The 2017 North Korean assassination of Kim Jong Nam in Malaysia using a binary VX agent shows a high level of sophistication. As of 2016, Iranian scientists have also synthesized Novichok.
For the urban dweller, riot control agents (which are not chemical warfare agents) and small industrial accidents pose a hazard. An overturned truck or leaking carrier hauling liquid chlorine would pose a significant hazard. Therefore, make plans accordingly to evacuate upwind if you live in an area with rail traffic, a refinery, an industrial area, or with heavy commercial traffic.
What about infants? There are several companies which sell self contained breathing apparatus, one being RDD USA out of Commerce, California which sells the Israeli Shmartaf hood for infants, and the Bardas protective hood for small children (I don’t endorse any products until I’ve seen them tested- search around for the best deals). I can however, endorse the simple Israeli mask and the US made MCU-2/P.
Finally, what type of mask should you buy? Preferably, you should try a mask on for size and to see if it seals properly, and not all masks sold via catalogs or online offer returns. I would stick with a mask that uses standard 40mm NATO filters. You should also be able to buy unopened NATO filters (preferably not Soviet ones, since they contain asbestos). By all means, avoid the M17 series and similar types since changing internal filters (if they can be obtained) are rather difficult and time consuming.
mhm
20 October 2018
Old School Survival (OSS) blog
A wide range of combined bio agents were developed by the Soviets from the 1920’s onward, and are detailed in a book by former Soviet colonel Kanatzhan Alibekov (aka "Ken Alibek"), who documents the stockpiling of some rather frightening antibiotic resistant viruses.
The recent revelation of the Soviet development and use of Novichok nerve agent in Great Britain is of interest. Hardy the work of a “rogue agent”, such use is typical of past Soviet (and current Russian) assassination techniques by their security services. Novichok, which has been claimed to be five to eight times as lethal as VX nerve agent, also has the capability to bypass current NATO filters upon exposure (not to mention any filtering system in any building, etc). The 2017 North Korean assassination of Kim Jong Nam in Malaysia using a binary VX agent shows a high level of sophistication. As of 2016, Iranian scientists have also synthesized Novichok.
For the urban dweller, riot control agents (which are not chemical warfare agents) and small industrial accidents pose a hazard. An overturned truck or leaking carrier hauling liquid chlorine would pose a significant hazard. Therefore, make plans accordingly to evacuate upwind if you live in an area with rail traffic, a refinery, an industrial area, or with heavy commercial traffic.
What about infants? There are several companies which sell self contained breathing apparatus, one being RDD USA out of Commerce, California which sells the Israeli Shmartaf hood for infants, and the Bardas protective hood for small children (I don’t endorse any products until I’ve seen them tested- search around for the best deals). I can however, endorse the simple Israeli mask and the US made MCU-2/P.
Finally, what type of mask should you buy? Preferably, you should try a mask on for size and to see if it seals properly, and not all masks sold via catalogs or online offer returns. I would stick with a mask that uses standard 40mm NATO filters. You should also be able to buy unopened NATO filters (preferably not Soviet ones, since they contain asbestos). By all means, avoid the M17 series and similar types since changing internal filters (if they can be obtained) are rather difficult and time consuming.
mhm
20 October 2018
Old School Survival (OSS) blog
Suggested
reading-
1.
Soviet filters and asbestos-
2. Intelligence Appraisal- “Southeast Asia: Mycotoxins and the Soviet Connection” by the Defense Intelligence Agency, 26 September 1981. Declassified from “Secret”. On the cia.gov FOIA site.
3. Iranian synthesis of Novichok-http://www.spectroscopynow.com/details/ezine/1591ca249b2/Iranian-chemists-identify-Russian-chemical-warfare-agents.html?tzcheck=1
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