The m15 gas masks are designed to be comfortable and safe for civilian use as well as military/police use in CBRN situations. They are NIOSH approved for eye, face and respiratory protection against CN and CS contaminants. They can take any standard NATO 40 mm filter and feature a sealed butyl rubber drinking system that can accept most US canteens with safety connections. They also have a central voice emitter for clear effective communication and are lightweight and durable.
The first thing to note about these masks is that they are not as effective against bacterial or biological agents as the modern gas masks. These older surplus-style masks were meant to protect against NBC (chemical, biological, radiological) threats and are not as effective at protecting you against nuclear fallout or chemical warfare.
They are still a great choice for protecting yourself in the event of a nuclear disaster or other CBRN situation and can be purchased at a much lower cost than the newer, more advanced models. The main issue with these masks is that the internal cheek filters need to be removed in order to change them, which can expose you to a host of contaminants while doing so. The other issue is that the rounded lens and snout of the mask can be quite difficult to fit over your mouth, and can lead to leaks if not properly fitted.
Another issue with these old-style surplus gas masks is that they are easy to snag on anything or anyone that you might bump into in a hurry and are often very loose and uncomfortable, especially in the hotter weather. It is also important to remember that they do not have any protection from infrared or thermal radiation which could be a significant risk for anyone trying to use them in a CBRN emergency.
The most popular and common of these old-style gas masks is the GP-5 which was produced by the Soviet Union until 1990. It is a full-face mask that takes threaded 40mm NATO filters that can last up to 8 hours once they are inserted and seated in the seal. It is issued in a khaki cloth bag with a plastic or metal canteen, ballistic outsert lenses and anti-fog stickers.
This mask is the most likely to be found at a surplus store because it was a common issue for many different branches of the military and has been used in varying conflicts around the world.
The most famous image of this mask is the one taken by Horino Masao, which depicts a Japanese marching unit of schoolgirls wearing them. It is a very striking and memorable photo that has become an icon not only for its representation of civic preparedness but for the way it is seen in popular culture as something quite frightening and dystopian in relation to nuclear warfare and other potential catastrophes. This visual association with the GP-5 has led to it being used in a variety of ways in fashion/art, movies and video games. m15 gas masks