Easier said than done. At least since the Lac Megantic runaway train disaster in Quebec in 2013, there's been a debate raging in out the necessity and safety of goods carried by rail - and the safety of the areas those trains travel through. The knowledge of what's being carried on those trains has been deemed national security.

Here's the wikki entry for that disaster:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lac-M%C3%A9gantic_rail_disaster

I'm not getting close enough to the scene to read the placard. BTW: the new 2016 Emergency Resonse Handbook has just been issued. We received ours on the boat last week.

The charcoal commercial filter will protect you against all of those chemicals. The Caustic Soda will shorten the cartridge's lifespan so discard those filters from your mask as soon as you're clear of the scene.

My take is as following; I have a FFP2 (european version of a N95) mask with a additional charcoal layer in it, which i carry everyday. The protection provided is limited.
Reasons:
- It folds flat and is small and light enough so I do actually carry it everywhere. A full BA set is not practical and I simply won't carry them with me.
- If a full BA set is needed, you will probably need protective clothing too. Won't carry that with me everyday either.
- If it's not good enough, I’m probably screwed anyways.
- Really inexpensive.

Wrote something about this years ago:
http://safetysecurityandpreparedness.blogspot.com/2013/05/what-is-practical-respirator-for.html

Also note; that you cannot just take off your PPE. If you got though a heavily contaminated zone, you will need to be decontaminated. If you are not wearing PPE clothing, just regular stuff. Removing clothing can remove 90% of the contamination. However when removing contaminated clothing, never remove by pulling over your head, as this introduces contaminated to your mouth, nose and eyes.

Thanks, I went to the Sundstrom Safety site and looked at the pdf's of the various chemical cartridges and the diagrams all looked the same -- mostly activated carbon. Chemical cartridge SR 232, OV/SD/CL/HC/HF cartridge leaflet pdf is one. They all look similar, but who knows what else is in there.

Fortunately, all I ever use is the particle filter and all ever had to replace is a couple pre-filters which are cheap. As for all the chemicals listed, avoidance is my first choice and for me living where I live that's not a problem. No tracks within many miles -- then again, an interstate is just up the street...

Wildman800, TY for the heads up on the book.
It is available for free download.

https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/PHMSA/DownloadableFiles/.../ERG2016.pdf


And now the link is broken, sorry.

IT still works if you google "2016 Emergency Response Handbook"

first non- advertisement down if the PDF version.

Link doesn't work.....

Tjin: I read your old blog entry on masks. The disposable, folds flat, charcoal added , particulate welding mask is an attractive option. I tried to Google it. Too many possibilities to ID your model. Please supply a manufacturer and a model number. Thanx in advance.

Try the link below. It takes you to a page to download the book and to download an app.

https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/outreach-training/erg

Wow somebody still reads that?

It's a EKASTU Sekur 419 282, as it's certified to EU standard; only availbile in Europe. here is a link:
http://www.conrad.com/ce/en/product/8892...mbiV-FFP2KombiV