MUSKI™ Terror Emergency Escape First-aid safety Mask, life saving, smoke protection



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MUSKI™ in Olympic games

These questions and answers should be read in conjunction with the information, data and test results included in other pages of this site.
 
Is Muski™ considered to be a NBC (Nuclear Biological Chemical) Mask?
Muski™ is an Emergency, First Aid Escape mask. It is not an NBC mask as defined in various International Standards for Respiratory Protective Devices. Muski™ is designed as a CBRN escape mask. The filter is designed to give the following protection: Chemical – Active charcoal filters organic gases like Sarin or Chlorines, subject to limitations dictated by concentration and time of exposure. Biological – the only mask in the world that was tested against all hazardous micro- organism, Particles – filters particles over 0.3 microns, applies mainly to smoke and fumes. Radiological waste – prevents particles containing Alpha and Beta rays from entering the body via the breathing systems. Even the efficiency of the NBC mask against all types of contaminants depends on its fit to the face, the type of contaminant and its concentration, and the distance from the source of the contaminant. European Standard, EN-405 Table 2. "Gas filtering capacity" states: "NOTE: The minimum breakthrough time is intended only for laboratory tests under standardized conditions. It does not give an indication of the possible service time in practical use. Possible service times can differ from the breakthrough times determined according to this standard in both directions positive or negative depending on the conditions of use." Muski™ filters provide high filtration against microorganisms including properties smaller than Anthrax, particles exceeding 0.3micron, Dust and Smoke, as can be seen from test results presented in this site.
 
If Muski™ does not provide full protection against NBC why do I need it?
 Muski™ gives you a better chance! If the bearer of Muski™ finds himself in a situation where he thinks, feels, or knows that there is a suspicious contaminant in the atmosphere, he can immediately don Muski™ and escape from the contaminated area. Muski™ will provide significantly better protection than a wet towel, a surgeon's face mask, or a regular half mask used in industry. Muski™ is a hood type mask with a good seal around the neck - providing protection for the head, face, ears, nose and mouth. Over 50% of fleeing 9/11 survivors and local residents experienced new or worsening respiratory problems caused by dust inhalation. The most common reported injury (31%) was eye damage from dust. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5502a1.htm?s_cid=ss5502a1_e. There is sufficient visibility through the hood to find the way out, and/or read signs or instructions. A four layered filter as described, and an exhalation valve opposite the mouth facilitates exhalation. Muski's™ compact size when folded, its light weight (40 grams), and its low cost provide an extremely economical affordable product that could save the life of its wearer. Even in the case of a "false alarm", its use does not involve significant expense, when compared with other one-time use only escape masks available on the market.
 
How does the Muski™ concept differ to that of other masks?
The difference between Muski™ and the hoods described in existing standards is rooted in the concept of accessibility. Muski™ is based on the assumption that the escape masks are in the possession of the civilians, within immediate reach and not for dangerous workplaces or first responders. Muski™ is not intended for use in places of distinct risk, like places near tanks of Ammonia or Chlorines. There is no existing standard, neither in the US nor EUROPE, covering escape masks under this concept. The Israeli Home Front Command (HFC) has defined the necessity and the operational objectives for such a mask. http://www.euroband.com/CONCEPTION_HFC_ISRAEL_SHORT.pps. (Use mouse left knob indicator to highlight one sentence after the other). On January 2006, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and BSI established a proposal for the standard of such a mask. http://www.euroband.com/proposed_CEN_Workshop_for_CBRN_PPE.pps THE NEED IS THERE, IT IS NOT IF…IT IS WHEN AND WHERE WILL IT HAPPEN. It is designed to give the prospective victim a chance to survive (without it the odds are very poor).
 
How does the Muski™ concept differ to that of other P.P.E masks?

Most efforts in the industry currently focus on the security of people/workers that use respirators in their work, and who have prior knowledge as to the type of risk they face and against which they require protection. Therefore, most masks are specifically designed for people in workplaces where harmful substances may be present, or for First Responders such as Fire Fighters, Army Personnel, and Policemen, all of whom, know in advance of the necessity for carrying or wearing protective means. The public however, remains unprotected. It can be assumed that in catastrophic circumstances, First Responders arriving at the scene, would, most likely, find only corpses.
Experts in the trade have now identified the need for masks to protect potential victims who find themselves in situations where harmful substances may exist in the atmosphere.  These protective masks have been defined as "Escape Masks". Potential victims could be citizens in transit;   or people visiting or trapped in closed places or, First Aid Personnel, or Police Officers, all of whom having  no prior knowledge of  the actual on site circumstances
The first issue is that new threats have created a genuine need to furnish every potential victim (practically 100% of the population) with  an inexpensive, small, handy (Pocket size), “easy to don” (within 20 seconds), “one size fits all” (including people with long hair or beards or with spectacles)  - means for relatively safe escape from a disaster site.
These masks are not covered by any European or U.S. Standard, but many of their characteristics are mentioned in various European or U.S.  Standards. The masks covered by the existing PPE (PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT) standards were designed from the point of view of the First Responders. They are bulky, expensive, complicated to use, and not easily accessible. While current PPE is designed to protect the worker from specific risks or hazards identified from risk assessments, no such assessments are likely or possible in an emergency situation.  Furthermore no such PPE exists that can be supplied or indeed carried at the time of mass threat to untrained and unprepared members of the public. The response to this need bears the following implications:
1.   Maximizing the number of people who manage self-rescue by leaving the site or suspected disaster site as quickly as possible, with eyes and respiratory tract relatively protected.
2.   Minimizing the number of victims to be treated by the first responders, thereby improving rescue efficiency.
3.   The urgent need to produce a feasible standard for escape masks that should comply with the respective parameters. 
In fact, to the best of our knowledge, no such standard has been established yet anywhere in the world, and the matter is currently being attended to through ISO/TC 223 (Societal Security).
We have designed our mask considering all relevant parameters and finally our product was ready before the respective standard has been accomplished, or in other words, the product came too early for the standard but not too early for the actual need.
 
Why do I need Muski™?
Muski™ provides an ultimate solution within the unusual concept for protecting each and every civilian, who should carry it everywhere. Alternatively, it can be kept in detachable boxes near the exits or in central locations, as a means of escaping from dangerous locations. It is emphasised that it is not intended for workers in hazardous industry or specialist hazard response teams to terror incidents involving chemical warfare materials. MUSKI ™ IS a MUST, due to its small convenient package size, the possibility for immediate use and easy donning as well as the competitive, inexpensive price making it a solution to a potential problem involving accidents or terror attacks. To reiterate, it gives a wearer a good or better chance to survive such disasters. One size fits all, fits people with spectacles, long hair and beards, permits communication and visibility, yet completely protects the eyes and completely filters part of the hazards (particles, dangerous micro-organisms etc.) and reduces inhalation of contaminated air.
 
In case of need, do I need previous training and how will I know if I have to use it?
Donning of Muski™ was designed to be simple and fool proof. The schematic drawings on the individual packaging should help. However, the cost of Muski™ is also low enough to enable any individual doubtful of being able to use Muski™ at real time danger, to "sacrifice" one piece for individual training. In the context of price it might be worthwhile mentioning that the low cost eliminates hesitation of whether to use or not to use Muski™ in unclear circumstances. Please refer to attached a certificate from Australia, the contents of which are self explanatory regarding the easy donning without previous training and its capabilities in cases of fire and smoke http://www.euroband.com/Muski_Test_in_Australia_Full.pdf EEM is Muski™ in Australia www.eem.net.au.
 
How can such an inexpensive mask be effective?
Our company specializes in the development and production of unique disposable equipment, and offers inexpensive solutions to major problems. Our basic idea was to make a disposable, one-time use emergency mask available to EVERYONE. Muski™ has most of the key features of far more expensive emergency escape masks, but without their bulk or weight. Due to its thin, light carbon filter layer, its ability to filter a wide-range of chemicals is proportionately limited - but as stated, it is significantly better than a wet towel, surgeon's mask, etc. However, Muski™ is not inferior to other more costly escape masks on the market. Muski™'s low cost makes it available to the entire population and its compact size and lightness enables people to have it with them at all times in a pocket or purse. Also, due to the inexpensive financial outlay no-one will hesitate to use Muski™ even in a suspected emergency situation, because even if it does prove to be a "false alarm" it can be easily replaced, with no significant loss to the user. Quotation from a 9/11 survivor: "I had to run six blocks through smoke and heavy dust, and would have appreciated a filter protection over my face and eyes - like that provided by Muski™!"
 
For how long can MUSKI™ protect me?
The quality of filtration is dependent on quantity and concentration of contaminants in the atmosphere. Specific duration of time for exact or definite filtering ability is unpredictable. e.g. Under Laboratory conditions, MUSKI™ was tested against dust filtration for 15 minutes and against microorganisms for 10 minutes. Prevailing conditions in the atmosphere will be the final determining factor. It is recommended that MUSKI™ be worn until the wearer is sure that he/she has left the contaminated area.
 
If, while wearing Muski for a while, I feel a "build-up" of heat inside the mask, what should I do?
Donning a hood may not be altogether comfortable, but nevertheless it is probably the best way to survive in the respective circumstances of contaminated air. Muski is designed to enable the user to make a speedy escape from a hazardous situation. If a build up of heat should occur inside the mask, position the exhalation valve located in the center of the filter as close as possible to your mouth, so that most of the exhaled air will be expelled directly through the valve. Although build up of heat may begin to feel uncomfortable to some wearers, it must be emphasized that if worn correctly, with the valve close to the mouth the heat will not become excessive or dangerous, and Muski's design will continue to ensure that a sufficient amount of filtered air is available. Keep in mind that the external dangers will almost certainly be many times more severe than any heat discomfort experienced within the mask! UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD MUSKI BE REMOVED IF THE USER IS STILL IN THE LOCATION OF THE HAZARD OR CONTAMINANT.
 
What should I do if the hood becomes steamed up and visibility is reduced?
The humidity of the exhaled air and perspiration is the normal reason for steaming up any hood, but the non-return exhaling valve that disposes of the majority of exhaled air takes care of this effects. Besides, experiences have proven that condensation inside the hood diminishes due to evaporation and visibility improves quite soon. In any case, visibility is never reduced below 70% which is an acceptable level for maintaining the capability to escape from the danger into a safer surrounding.
 
Has Muski™ been tested for inhalation of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) residues within the Hood?
MUSKI ™ was tested on properly donned subjects for 10 minutes. CO2 was considered for the last 5 minutes of each exercise, and in those 5 minutes the last 5 breaths were considered. The increase of CO2 for each particular subject did not increase by 2% when compared with the quantity of regularly exhaled breath. During the Gulf war in 1991, millions of people in Israel used various types of gas masks repeatedly (about 15 times) for several hours at a time. Many people were hospitalized, but there were no reported incidents of excessive carbon dioxide concentration residues.
 
While donning Muski™, when I passed the rubber band over the mask to seal the hood around the neck, the round white cover of the exhalation valve fell off. Is the mask still safe?
Yes, Muski™ is still safe. None of the Muski™ characteristics change if this occurs. This cover protects the elastic membrane while Muski™ is folded, so that outer pressure will not harm the membrane. During use of the mask it has no purpose. In any event, be careful when you pass the band over your face in order not to touch the cover, but even if it is detached, the effectiveness of Muski™ is not impaired.
 
Why is the fit and seal of the mask dependent upon 2 elastic bands and not an appropriate sealing device?
The method of independent elastic seals enables one size of mask to fit all users sizes. This is achieved by fitting the mask over the face so that the exhaling valve is located as close as possible opposite the mouth and then adjusting the rubber bands on the neck while maintaining the hood in the same position. All other systems in which the neck seal is not independent, the integral seal will be prohibitive to performing a final fitting as explained. Consequently they will require a range of sizes that are usually inadequate for covering all specific needs. It will also require adding to the mask a mouth piece and a nose clip that will significantly increase the cost and require a bulky pack compared to Muski™.
 
One of the rubber bands snapped and broke/was mislaid while donning/unpacking the mask. Is the mask still functional?
Yes. Even with one rubber band around the neck, tests showed that the hood was sufficiently sealed. Two rubber bands have been supplied so that even if one is lost/broken during the panic & stress of trying to don the mask as quickly as possible, the second band provides back-up, as well as providing additional opportunity to ensure that all hair is enclosed and covered by the hood before sealing with the second band.
 
Can I use Muski™ whilst escaping from fire?
Yes. But take special care to ensure that flames or extreme heat over 100oC do not come into contact with the mask. MUSKI™ and its components are not fireproof. Heat/fire may melt or burn parts of the mask. Muski™ provides good protection against smoke or fumes caused by fire; it protects the eyes, and filters a large portion of smoke. However, it should be borne in mind that as with every Respiratory Protective Device, the efficiency of smoke and fume filtering, will depend on the concentration, and the distance from the source of the smoke or fumes.
 
Does Muski™ filter Carbon Monoxide (CO)?
Not all escape masks must be capable of filtering carbon monoxide. 
The NIOSH standard,  "Statement of Standard for Chemical, Biological, Radiological (CBRN)  Air  Purifying Escape Respirator" September 30, 2003: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/standardsdev/cbrn/escape/standard/escstd-a.html provides requirements for different types of escape masks:
Section 4.2.1 gives the requirements for a version that does not claim to filter carbon monoxide.
Section 4.2.1.1. provides requirements for masks providing protection against carbon monoxide.
See also section 3.5 "Flammability and Heat resistance (applicable only to respirators approved for carbon monoxide protection)"
Note: Muski™ does not claim to conform to all the requirements in the above NIOSH standard - we use some test references from the standard, and reference to the standard is to point out that there are different requirements for different masks.
Carbon Monoxide is a poisonous gas that acts slowly.  It is characterized by the fact that if a victim survives (described in publications), there are no permanent side effects resulting from this gas, compared with exposure to many side effects/damage.
A filter for carbon monoxide is very thick and heavy - as it requires a special chemical ingredient to absorb it.  If we attach such a filter to Muski™, it will make the mask much more bulky and more expensive.
Our decision not to include the filter for carbon monoxide is based on the fact that Muski™ is for ESCAPING from a contaminated area within the shortest possible time, where exposure to gases would be for a relatively short time.
 
What is the rationale for the CE mark printed on Muski™ packaging?
Muski™ is properly marked according to MDD 93/42/EEC regarding the placing on the market, free movement of goods and safety. As a Class I device, the CE marking practically requires only a self declaration of conformity and registering the device in one of the EC Competent Authorities. Please view registration documents for EC http://www.euroband.com/Masks_Registration.pdf.
 
You state that the plastic material of the hood has been tested to withstand 6 hours of Mustard Gas but you do not give any time frame regarding resistance of the filters against Mustard Gas?
Muski™ filters were not tested for filtering against the effects of Mustard Gas. Therefore, we cannot state the filtration ability and a time frame for significant filtration ability. In contrast to the absolute resistance of the plastic hood, the filters must allow the air to pass through, but the charcoal is capable of absorbing part of the mustard gas. Again, the ability to filter depends on the concentration and the distance from the source of the Mustard Gas. On the other hand, we think it is very important to know that the hood is completely resistant to Mustard Gas and other gases. There is no doubt, that if the complete head is covered and protected, especially the eyes, nose, mouth and ears, risk is significantly reduced. During the Iraq/ Iran war, Iraq attacked the Kurds in the North/East of Iraq using Mustard Gas. It was found out that regular clothing is protection against mustard gas, and, if immediately following exposure, the victim removes contaminated clothes and thoroughly washes himself, the impact of the gas is significantly reduced.