Zelinsky-Kummant gas mask

Last updated
Zelinsky-Kummant gas mask
Zelinsky-Kummant.jpg
Type Gas mask
Place of originFlag of Russia.svg  Russian Empire
Service history
In service1915–1930s
Used bySee Users
Wars World War I
Winter War
Production history
Designer Nikolay Zelinsky and M.I. Kummant
Designed1915
No. produced5,030,660

The Zelinsky-Kummant gas mask was the world's first gas mask [1] which had the ability to absorb a wide range of chemical warfare agents. The gas mask was developed in 1915 by Russian chemist Nikolay Zelinsky and technologist of the Triangle plant M.I. Kummant. [2] The design was later improved by I. D. Avalov and entered mass production. After adoption by the Imperial Russian Army during World War I, casualties from chemical attacks decreased sharply. [3]

Contents

Soldiers of the 267th Dukhovshchinsky Infantry Regiment wearing Zelinsky-Kummant gas masks, 1916 Soldaty 267 Duhovshinskogo polka.jpg
Soldiers of the 267th Dukhovshchinsky Infantry Regiment wearing Zelinsky-Kummant gas masks, 1916
Soldiers of the Czechoslovak Legion in Zelinsky-Kummant gas masks, 1916-1917 Czech Legion soldiers in gas masks.jpg
Soldiers of the Czechoslovak Legion in Zelinsky-Kummant gas masks, 1916–1917
Soldier wearing a gas mask, photo from the U.S. Army War College Man wearing a Zelinsky-Kummant gas mask.jpg
Soldier wearing a gas mask, photo from the U.S. Army War College
Russian soldiers in Zelinsky-Kummant gas masks, photographed by an American photographer, 1917 Soldiers in trench wearing gas masks 1917.jpg
Russian soldiers in Zelinsky-Kummant gas masks, photographed by an American photographer, 1917
The gas mask preserved in a Finnish museum Selinski-Kummandt-kaasunamaari Kokonaisturvallisuus 2015 01.jpg
The gas mask preserved in a Finnish museum

History

Early protection from chemical weapons were "wet masks," which were bandages soaked in a solution of hyposulfite, sodium phenolate, methenamine, etc. They functioned based on the chemical binding of toxic substances and were widely used on the fronts of World War I. [4] However, in addition to the obvious difficulties with use in combat conditions, they only helped against a narrow range of gases (of which several dozen were already in use by 1915). [5] Therefore, chemists searched for nonspecific adsorbents with the greatest absorption capacity. The Germans used diatomaceous earth with pumice, while specialists from the Mining Institute used a mixture of slaked lime and caustic soda lime. After numerous experiments, Nikolay Zelinsky suggested activated birch or linden charcoal.

By summer of 1916, several hundred thousand soldiers were fumigated, and in total the army received 5,030,660 gas masks.[ citation needed ] Since spring 1917, gas masks were no longer issued to combat units. Troops continued to suffer significant losses from chemical weapons: units on the front line received gas masks without a supply, and fresh reinforcements to the unit were not provided with RPE. [6]

Flaws

The activated carbon filter perfectly absorbed chlorine at a relatively low concentration. Later, shells and mines were used for chemical attacks; and they were equipped with phosgene, hydrocyanic acid, and other toxic substances. This increased the concentration of toxic substances and changed their chemical composition; and it turned out that in the new conditions, activated carbon alone does not provide the required duration of protection. For example, at a phosgene concentration of 1%, filters began to pass it in less than 6 minutes - while an English filter (with the addition of soda lime with potassium permanganate, in addition to activated carbon) could absorb 5 times more phosgene. Similarly, at a hydrocyanic acid concentration of 0.1%, the service life of Zelinsky filters with activated carbon alone was nine minutes, and with the addition of a chemical absorber took one hour and five minutes. By 1918, English, French, American and German gas mask filters were filled with both activated carbon and chemical absorbers, but in Russia until the very end of the war, they continued to believe in the universality of activated carbon, contrary to the proposals of the Gas Prevention Laboratory of the Chemical Committee at G.A.U. [7] In modern industrial gas masks, activated carbon can be saturated with various additives, that is, additives and chemicals are also used.

Substances in the form of aerosols such as fine dust and fog, began to be used for chemical attacks. Small particles passed between large pieces of activated carbon (4–11 mm) unhindered, [7] and there were no aerosol filters in the gas mask boxes.

Another disadvantage of gas masks was difficulty breathing. [8] Some soldiers took off their gas masks, and were poisoned. Some soldiers "fell out of action due to shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness" to the point of loss of consciousness. This was initially attributed to increased respiratory resistance. Accordingly, they began to change the design of the filter. But even when the amount of absorber was reduced to such a small value that the service life turned out to be unacceptably short, the problem could not be solved. Then measurements showed that exhaled air, with an increased concentration of carbon dioxide and a reduced concentration of oxygen (up to 13%), [9] accumulates in the mask and filter - and is then inhaled again. [10] [11] As a result, its concentration in the inhaled air could reach 5.5% (for comparison, the maximum permissible concentration of CO2: average over 8 hours - 0.5% (average shift); average over 15 minutes (maximum single) - 1.4%; t .e. 9 and 27 grams per 1 cubic meter, respectively). [12] After modifications, the gas mask was equipped with exhalation and inhalation valves, and the concentration of carbon dioxide decreased (to approximately 1.3-3.6%, depending on the gas mask model and type of activity). Even after the alterations, the concentration of oxygen in the inhaled air was reduced, and carbon dioxide was increased. [7]

Tests proved it was not always possible to achieve a hermetically sealed connection between the glass and the mask. [13]

Users

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikolay Zelinsky</span> Russian chemist (1861–1953)

Nikolay Dmitriyevich Zelinsky was a Russian and Soviet chemist of Ukrainian origin. Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Soviet Union (1929).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Dvorkin</span> Russian professor and religious activist

Alexander Leonidovich Dvorkin is a Russian anti-cult activist. From 1999 to 2012 he was professor and head of the department of the study of new religious movements (cults) at Saint Tikhon's Orthodox University. He is currently professor of department of missiology at that university.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beklemishevskaya Tower</span> Tower at the Eastern edge of Moscow Kremlin Wall

Beklemishevskaya Tower is a tower at the Eastern edge of Moscow Kremlin Wall. It was named after a boyar Ivan Bersen-Beklemishev, whose house had been adjacent to the tower from the Kremlin side. It was earlier known as Russian: Москворецкая tower based its position on the near Moskva River. It is similar to the other two towers standing at the other corners of the Kremlin triangle, Vodovzvodnaya and Uglovaya Arsenalnaya rowers. While these towers are cylindrical, all other towers of the Kremlin's Wall have been built on a square plan base.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Freemasonry in Russia</span>

Freemasonry in Russia started in the 18th century and has continued to the present day. Russian Freemasonry pursue humanistic and educational purposes, but more attention is given to ethical issues. It was a spiritual community of people united in an effort to contribute to the prosperity of the Motherland and the enlightenment of the people living in it.

Vladimir Semionovich Spirin was a Russian philologist, sinologist, historian, primarily interested resided in classical Chinese philology and Chinese philosophy. Throughout his career he was a lecturer of Saint Petersburg State University, researcher at Saint Petersburg's branch of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg Russia, Candidate of Sciences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yuri Semenov</span>

Yuriy Ivanovich Semenov was a Soviet and Russian historian, philosopher, ethnologist, anthropologist, expert on the history of philosophy, history of primitive society, and the theory of knowledge. He was also the original creator of the globally-formation (relay-stadial) concept of world history and is a Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Historical Sciences (1963), and Professor. He was Distinguished Professor at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiev Naval Political College</span> Former Soviet naval college

The Kiev Naval Political College was a state military institution of higher education. It was the only school in the Soviet Union that prepared political commissars for the Soviet Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lopukhin family</span> Russian noble family

The House of Lopukhin was an old Russian noble family, most influential during the Russian Empire, forming one of the branches of the Sorokoumov-Glebov family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Veselovsky</span> Imperial Russian division, corps and army commander (1866–1939)

Anthony Andreevich Veselovsky was an Imperial Russian division, corps and army commander.

Cyrillization of German is the conversion of text written in the German Latin alphabet into the Cyrillic alphabet, according to rules based on pronunciation. Because German orthography is largely phonemic, transcription into Cyrillic follows relatively simple rules.

Fedor Maksimovich Putintsev was a Soviet propagandist of atheism and a scientific worker in the study of problems of religion and atheism. He was also a journalist and writer.

Klara Naumovna Berkova, was a Russian writer, doctor of medicine, popularizer of scientific and anti-religious knowledge.

Fedor Davidovich Kapelyush, was a Russian engineer, economist, writer, Marxist, and translator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of metallurgy in the Urals</span>

The history of metallurgy in the Urals stands out to historians and economists as a separate stage in the history of Russian industry and covers the period from the 4th millennium BC to the present day. The emergence of the mining district is connected with the history of Ural metallurgy. The geography of the Ural metallurgy covers the territories of modern Perm Krai, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Udmurtia, Bashkortostan, Chelyabinsk Oblast and Orenburg Oblast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fappi</span> Historical region in Ingushetia

Fappi or Fappi mokhk, exonym: Kistetia, is a historical region in Ingushetia. Fappi is the territory of historical settlement of the Fyappiy society.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tsorins</span> Ingush society

Tsorins, Tsori, also Ghalghaï, were a historical Ingush ethnoterritorial society that was located in mountainous Ingushetia in the region of river Guloykhi. The center of the society was Tsori from which it got its name. Tsorin society, like the Khamkhin society, was formed from the former "Galgaï society" as a result of the transfer (appearance) of rural government to the village Tsori.

Alekséy Borisovich Siláyev was a Soviet chemist. He was a Professor of the Faculty of Chemistry and the Faculty of Biology at Moscow State University. Honoured Scientist of the RSFSR (1976).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dumnaya</span> Mountain in Russia

Dumnaya mountain, is a peak in the old part of the town of Polevskoy in Sverdlovsk Oblast, on the right bank of the Polevaya river. The top of the hill is flat, covered with birch forest, the western slope steepens towards the river bank. The northern slope is more gentle, and the mountain massif extends a kilometer to the east. The Polevskoy Copper Smelting Plant operated from 1724 to 1930 beneath the mountain on the riverbank.

Saray-Gora, Saray Gora, Saray-gora, Saraygora is a mountain in the Caucasus, orographically belonging to the Skalisty Range, which extends along the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus system. It is located in the Tuapsinsky District of Krasnodar region, east of the village of Sadovoye. It is characterized as a low mountain with its height 772.3 m or 772.6 m above sea level. It is the highest point of the Skalisty Range in the Psekups river basin. The number on the State Catalog of Geographical Names is 0160784. In the orographic systematics of the Russian Empire period it belonged to the so-called Black Mountains.

The 226th Zemlyansky Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment of the Imperial Russian Army. The unit existed from 1914 to 1918. The regiment was famous for defending Osowiec Fortress, having carried out the "Attack of the Dead Men."

References

  1. Фрайс А. Амос, Клапенс Д. Вест (1924). "Глава 1. История ядовитых газов". Химическая война (in Russian) (2 изд 10 250 экз ed.). Москва: Государственное Военное Издательство. pp. 17–19. Уже в 19 веке на крупных предприятиях Лондона рабочие использовали противогазы с активированным углём.
  2. Де-Лазари А. Н. (2008). "Комментарии". "Химическое оружие на фронтах Мировой войны 1914—1918 гг. Краткий исторический очерк" (in Russian) (300 экз ed.). М.: «Вузовская книга». ISBN   978-5-9502-0314-5.
  3. Нилов Е. И. (1964). Зелинский. ЖЗЛ (in Russian). М.: Molodaya Gvardiya. p. 256.
  4. "От "шлема Гипо" — к защите Зелинского" (in Russian). 2011-10-05. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  5. Де Лазари, Александр Николаевич (2008). Химическое оружие на фронтах Мировой войны 1914—1918 гг. Краткий исторический очерк. Комментарии (in Russian). M.: Вузовская книга. p. 268. ISBN   978-5-9502-0314-5.
  6. Purishkevich, Vladimir (1990). Убийство Распутина (из дневника) (in Russian). Moscow: СП "Интербук". pp. 78, 155.
  7. 1 2 3 Г.В. Хлопин (1926). "Русские сухие противогазы". Военно-санитарные основы противогазового дела (in Russian) (1 изд 2000 экз ed.). Ленинград: Научное химико-техническое издательство. pp. 72–79.
  8. Капцов В.А., Чиркин А.В (September 2021). "Воздействие углекислого газа на работников, использующих респираторы (обзор" (in Russian) (Доклад на 16 Российском национальном конгрессе с международным участием "Профессия и здоровье" ed.). Владивосток. Archived from the original on 2022-01-03. 23{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. Фигуровский Н. А. (1942). "Очерк развития русского противогаза во время Империалистической войны 1914-1918 гг". Library.by (in Russian). М.-Л.: Изд-во Акад. наук СССР.
  10. И.И. Андреев (1917). "Состав воздуха в респираторе Кумманта-Зелинского во время дыхания". Сборник материалов по противогазовым вопросам. Выпуск 1 (in Russian). Петроград: Военная Типография. pp. 111–113.
  11. И.Г. Беднарж (1918). "К вопросу о дыхании в респираторах разных систем". Сборник материалов по противогазовым вопросам. Выпуск 2 (in Russian). Петроград: Военная Типография. pp. 1–149.
  12. (Роспотребнадзор) (2018). "№ 2138 Углерода диоксид". ГН 2.2.5.3532-18 "Предельно допустимые концентрации (ПДК) вредных веществ в воздухе рабочей зоны". Санитарные правила (in Russian). Москва. p. 145.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  13. И.И. Андреев (1918). "Испытание противогазов Кумманта-Зелинского". Library.by (in Russian). Петроград: Типография "Артиллерийского журнала".

Literature