Information about CS Spray and CS Masks

This page contains info on gas masks. It is thought that the masks recommended on this page are the best that activists will be able to get, bearing in mind their lack of money & the need to avoid dehydration during demonstrations ( hence half masks ).

A more in depth version of the research with details on how to treat people who have been sprayed is available to download in either .rtf or.txt format.

CS Research [.rtf - 24k]
CS Research [.txt - 16k]

CS masks: You need to protect against both Organic Vapours (such as methylene chloride, used to disperse CS powder ) & aerosol droplets ( such as CS ).

ARCO are a UK network of retailers of masks.
Website: http://www.arco.co.uk [They have an extensive online catalogue]
Email: sales@arco.co.uk
Telephone: 01482 222 522

Wear (swimming) goggles with all of these masks.

The following are recommended: (the 5 digit number is the ARCO code).


Sundstöm TPE - 2 mask Medium 01689 £11.95 + vat, Large 01688 £11.95 + vat
CEN P3 aerosol droplets + high-efficiency particulate filter 01656 £4.21 + vat
CEN ABE1 filter ( Organic + Inorganic + acid gas ) 01671 £6.85 + vat
The extended duration ABE2 ( same as A2,B2,E2 ) is better, but I don't know a supplier.
Total £26.27 including vat

Buying a pack of pre-filters ( 50 ), code: 01658, £9.25 including vat, considerably improves the life of the filters & is strongly recommended, especially if you are buying several masks.

The mask above is a most comfortable & cheapest version, with front mounted filters. You need both filters to stop aerosol droplets ( CS ) & Organic Vapours ( methylene chloride ). However, because the boiling point of methylene chloride is low ( 40°C ) desorption is a big problem, ( when the chemical vapourises off the filter into the mask ) so you should only wear the mask when needed & you should use pre-filters & change them at least once a day.
Nominal Protection Factor 50, Approved Protection Factor 10.


North N5500 small / medium / large 01399 £10.30 + vat
CEN A1,B1,E1,P3 combination filter 01428 £14.30 + vat ( pack of 2 )
The extended duration ABE2 ( same as A2B2E2 ) is better, but I don't know a supplier.
Total price £28.91 inc. vat

10 Pre-filters N7500 6AU, code: 01410 £7.05 including vat, are well pricey, especially as you need to use 2 each time, also you have to pay £0.48 for the Fit checking filter cover N7500 27U code: 01429

This is a half face mask respirator, with side mounted filters. Approved to EN140 and made from hypo-allergenic, elastomer. The filters do the same job as the Sundstöm & have the same protection factor.


3m 6000 series small code: 6100 / medium 6200 / large 6300 £9.55 + vat
CEN P3 01134 £5.96 + vat (pack of 2 )
CEN ABE1 01123 £6.68 + vat ( pack of 2 )
The extended duration ABE2 ( same as A2,B2,E2 ) is better, but I don't know a supplier.
502 filter adaptor ( pack of 2 ) 01130 £2.30
Total price £28.77 including vat

I can not find any reference to pre-filters unfortunately.

This is a half face mask respirator, with side mounted filters. Approved to EN143 + EN141
The filters do the same job as the Sundstöm & have the same protection factor.

3M, North & Sundstöm masks are available from retailers around the world.

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