Nitric acid etch safety

[Former_Member]

Hello, I've been using nitric acid for etching, and im using a military grade full face gas mask for protection from the acid fumes, but im not very sure that it provides enough protection from acids. The mask is a standard issue military mask in our country.

So if any one of you uses gas masks for protection could you say what type of mask it is and what type of canisters it has and how log do they last.
Thanks in advance

[VIZArt]

I don't use nitric acid but i did find this i hope it helps. maybe someone else who has first hand experience can also give advice.
http://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/16550.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Respirator

[Former_Member]

thanks for the fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/16550.htm link it will help finding the right respirator i was looking for something like this.

[Former_Member]

Hi there, I work in a print supply store where we sell a similar style of mask as yours, the rep says once you open the filter (this applies to most filters on the market) they only last for around six weeks so the advice we've been told to give people is to remove the filter after use and put it in a zip lock bag until you need it again. It is supposed to work quite well.
Good luck

[Former_Member]

I am the technician in a printmaking studio. when i started work i called the mask manufacturing company (3M) and asked them what was the correct filter for nitric acid. they told me that there is no filter that will work with nitric and the only answer would be a full respirator with oxygen tank.