An inverted funnel at the end of the hose contained a woolen cloth to trap particulates and a wet sponge to protect against gases and vapors. The design was based on the correct assumption that the most breathable air during a fire was near the floor. In 1825, John Roberts developed a “smoke filter” for firefighters ( Figure 1, from NIOSH, 1979), consisting of a leather hood and a hose strapped to the leg. After fires, firefighters were known to drink ample quantities of steam beer, which they misguidedly thought would cleanse their lungs.Īccording to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health ( NIOSH, 1979), at the beginning of the 19th century industrial revolution, respirator evolution became more sophisticated.
These “beard filters” may have kept some of the larger ashes from the firefighter’s mouth. Before a fire, firefighters would soak their beards in water and clamped it in their teeth to act as filters.
Cool gas mask picure full#
While it now may seem unusual, during the 18th and 19th centuries firefighters were required to have full grown beards. Understanding behavior of small particles, the properties of filter media and their interactions led to the improvement of particulate respirators. In 1827, the Scottish botanist Robert Brown discovered the phenomenon of the Brownian movement – the theory that the random bouncing motion of extremely small particles was caused by collisions of rapidly moving gas molecules. Advances in respiratory protection came about after the discovery of the separate natures of particulate aerosols, gases, and vapors.
Until WWI, respirators used in mining and industry were homemade masks, such as cloth scarves and other filtering type devices, along with respirators imported from European manufacturers such as Dräger, Westphalia, Fleuss, and Siebe-Gorman.īefore the 18th century, smoke and dust generated during mining and industrial operations were the only recognized inhalation hazards. According to Held (1974), prior to World War I, respirators were primarily produced to protect fire service personnel in the United States (U.S.) from inhalation hazards.
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