Chemical Attack / Leak precautions

[DMCakhunter]

Here is something simple information from the chemical industry on mustard gas that I came across. No detail on masks or filters unfortunately, just good old soap n water.
http://www.chem.info/blogs/2015/12/worst-case-scenario-surviving-chemical-weapons-attack?et_cid=4979556&et_rid=554142640&type=cta

Other than weaponized gases, I feel our biggest threat is an accidental release/rail spill/truck-farm accident. If you live near a rail line, interstate or an industrial area where chlorine, anhydrous ammonia or other inhalation danger gases are concentrated, would be wise to do a little more research on protection measures. Here in Iowa, anhydrous ammonia is a concern because there are farm trailers of it everywhere. Don't mess around with strange looking clouds/smoke at ground level. Also, a spray of water will dilute/wash away anhydrous ammonia but high humidity/water vapor will turn it to acid. That is why it is so damaging to lungs/mucus membranes.
I do not have any gas masks, just dust masks and googles.

Please add to this if you have anything.

[JohnyMac]

These masks along with 3M's offering along with goggles will take care of most chemical events.

They are so cheap it should be in everybody's preps.

[Nemo]

I live about 1/2 miles crow flies from a business where they unload chemical tanks routinely.  Anytime I ride by I can see ammonia, chlorine and all kinds of benzo or phosphor or other stuff on tanks.

It is routine that the wind comes from that direction also.  I do not like that being there or me being here with it there.  But it was there first.  I still dislike it.  And keep a weather eye to the wind direction, always.

Nemo

[Erick]

I live about 1/2 miles crow flies from a business where they unload chemical tanks routinely.  Anytime I ride by I can see ammonia, chlorine and all kinds of benzo or phosphor or other stuff on tanks.

It is routine that the wind comes from that direction also.  I do not like that being there or me being here with it there.  But it was there first.  I still dislike it.  And keep a weather eye to the wind direction, always.

Nemo

at half  a mile, you are too far for Chlorine or Ammonia to affect you as they are so very volatile and will rise up in the air very quickly.
This holds even in weather conditions that keep most other stuff on the ground.

The organics are a different story though.
Luckily just about any filter that has activated charcoal as a component will do a stellar job filtering them out.

[Nemo]

Railroad tankers and trucks carrying big tanks of it routinely go by the road right down the way from me.  Maybe 1/8 miles max.

Still don't like that stuff.  Spent 25 years with Volunteer FD and I was the ChemTrec contact discussion guy.  Still generally subscribe to the one thumb gauge.

If you can cover the whole incident with one thumb, at full extended arm, you are far enough away.  If not, move farther away.

Nemo