2025 Emergency Protection Essentials: Our Respirator Safety Guide

1. Tear Gas and Airborne Irritants

Tear gas (CS or CN), pepper spray, and smoke from flashbangs or crowd dispersal can cause severe coughing, choking, disorientation, and eye irritation. In a situation of unrest, where riot agents may be present, respiratory protection might be called upon as the best source of safety.

The Protection We Recommend:

You Should Have:

• A full-face respirator with a filter that deals with riot agents like our CTCF50 Filter. This will protect you against the hazards above, often referred to as particulates and riot-control agents.
• A sealed, anti-fog facepiece or eye protection with zero gaps.
• Carry a spare filter in a sealed container, in case you experience extended exposure to the dangers mentioned above.

You Should Avoid:

• Old surplus gear, as you have no idea on product life or expiration. Being prepared with a new, quality-assured mask or filter ensures that you can count on your gear when the time comes to use it.
• Basic dust masks, or trying to manage by wrapping material (for example, a t-shirt) around your mouth.

Expert Advice: If you don't have a seal, or a seal that is not airtight, and your filter isn't rated, then you're not protected.

2. Burning Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Toxic Fumes

An unexpected threat that's become more common as the popularity of EVs increases worldwide. If an electric vehicle catches fire, due to collision, sabotage, or spontaneous battery failure, the resulting smoke can contain hydrogen fluoride (HF). The reason we are highlighting this is because it is a highly toxic and colorless gas. These threats often come in residential areas, and in densely populated areas, making it something you now need to be aware of.

Although statistics are not immense for these occurrences, as these vehicles become more prevalent in society, it does become a hazard to be aware of due to the risk they pose. The risk is high: HF exposure can be fatal, even in low concentrations, and poses serious health risks to the lungs, skin, and eyes.

The Protection We Recommend:

You Should Have:

• A NIOSH (or CE) CBRN-rated respirator with a multi-gas filter that includes acid protection, Avon Protection would recommend the CBRNCF50 in this scenario.
• Skin coverage and sealed goggles or a full facepiece to prevent contact exposure.
• Filters stored, sealed, and replaced if there's been any exposure or damage.

You Should Avoid:

• Standard tear gas or particulate-only filters (like standalone P100s) as these won’t stop HF gas.
• Even a high-quality mask, without the right filter, offers no protection against this specific threat.
  

3. Wildfire Smoke and Fine Particulates

Wildfires - like those seen across California earlier this year - release dense smoke filled with ultrafine particles, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and ash. Even miles from the fire line, air quality can drop to hazardous levels, especially for children, the elderly, and people with asthma.

The Protection We Recommend:

You Should Have:

• A P100-rated filter (or CBRN filter with particulate protection) on a well-sealed half or full-face respirator.
• Our NH15 Escape Hood or MITR-M1 Half Mask can be a good, quick option for this threat level, offering compact storage and quick deployment. 
• For high-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) areas: a combo filter (e.g. NIOSH + P3) for both particulates and gases.
• Eye protection if you're evacuating or exposed to ash clouds.

You Should Avoid:

• Cloth masks, dust masks, and basic N95s. They don’t form a proper seal and aren’t rated for prolonged or dense smoke exposure. If you can smell it clearly, you're breathing it in.

Having protective gear is step one. Knowing how to use it, and making sure it works when you need it, is just as important.

• Fit matters. A mask that doesn’t seal won't protect anyone. Make sure the respirator you've got is the right size, and learn how to do a proper negative pressure fit check once you've put it on. (You can find information on fit checking within your User Instructions.)
• Filters expire. Store them sealed, in a cool, dry place, and replace them according to manufacturer specs. Check humidity indicators once a filter has been opened from it's original packaging to make sure they aren't compromised.  
• Practice matters. Don’t wait until a dangerous situation is unfolding to put your respirator on for the first time. Make sure everything fits, know where you keep your protective equipment, and have a plan.

Good gear should never sit in a closet gathering dust. It should be checked, tested, and ready to go, like a fire extinguisher or first aid kit.

If you're unsure of what you need to be prepared and stay protected, please reach out to our Customer Service team for further guidance. 

Quick Reference: 

• Situation: Tear gas or unknown chemicals
  Use: NH15 Escape Hood
  Protects Against: Tear gas, chemicals, smoke
  Notes: Good for quick escape; easy to use and easy to store.
  
• Situation: Staying near tear gas/smoke
  Use: Full-Face Mask + CTCF50 Filter
  Protects Against: Prolonged exposure to tear gas and smoke particles
  Notes: Reusable option for longer use. Even a full-face respirator does not supply oxygen and should never be used in an oxygen-deprived or oxygen-rich environment, intended for escape and emergency use only.
  
  
• Situation: Near fires (like EVs or plastics)
  Use: Full-Face Mask + CBRNCF50 Filter
  Protects Against: Harmful fire gases and smoke
  Notes: Best for serious smoke or chemical exposure. Even a full-face respirator does not supply oxygen and should never be used in an oxygen-deprived or oxygen-rich environment, intended for escape and emergency use only.
  
  
• Situation: Just smoke (no chemicals)
  Use: MITR™-M1 Half Mask with MITR™-PF Filter
  Protects Against: Smoke particles only
  Notes: Do not use if chemicals or tear gas are present. Intended for escape and emergency use only. The MITR™-M1 does not supply oxygen and should never be used in an oxygen-deprived or oxygen-rich environment.