Question

When are gas masks used and how do they work?

Answer 1

Gas masks are used as protective devices against poisonous gases such as methane, chlorine, and sulphur dioxide. They work by containing suitable adsorbents, typically activated charcoal, which preferentially adsorb these toxic gases from the air, thus purifying it for safe breathing. The process exploits the phenomenon of adsorption, where harmful gas molecules are trapped on the surface of the adsorbent material, removing them from the air stream inhaled by the user.