[BCMA] Advice on Potential Hazardous Materials in Gas Mask

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv]

Hello Jim

I have catalogued a number of similar rebreathing masks as used in coal
mining. The canister contains crystals that react with moisture in the
breath to generate oxygen for the wearer. If the crystals are exposed to
water in the canister the result can be explosive. If your canister is
empty it is not a problem. Your canister appears to be rusty and could
develop holes. I would check with your fire department if you do not have
access to a hazardous waste company.

Rebreathing apparatus are used in diving these days. If you do a search on
rebreathers you will see a lot of sites.

Tom Gooden
(Happily retired in the comox Valley)


On Fri, Jan 10, 2025 at 3:21 PM Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv <
listserv at lists.museum.bc.ca> wrote:

> Hi, friends.  I am sending this on behalf of the Revelstoke Railway Museum
> Collections Committee.
>
> The Museum has received a Protexall gas mask which was used by the railway
> in very long tunnels in the event of a mechanical breakdown or stalls.
> Even with the ventilation systems available, the danger of asphyxiation was
> very real.
>
> Please see the attached photos.  I am wondering if anyone has advice on
> the potential for toxic materials in this object which we should be aware
> of, and recommended mitigation?  While the object will be stored, there is
> the possibility it could be exhibited in the future.
>
> Many thanks
>
> Jim Cullen
> Retired Executive Director
> Collections Committee Member
> Revelstoke Railway Museum
>
>
>
>
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