What certified filters protect against CS and CN tear agents and how long do they last?
Executive summary
Certified filters intended to protect against riot-control agents like CS (o‑chlorobenzylidene malononitrile) and CN (chloroacetophenone) are sold as RCA/CBRN cartridges meeting standards such as NIOSH approvals (U.S.) or EN 14387 (EU); examples include Honeywell Survivair NIOSH‑approved CN/CS canisters and MIRA Safety’s P‑CAN EN‑certified police filters [1] [2] [3]. Service life in use—how long a filter actually protects during exposure—depends on the agent concentration and airflow, while shelf life (storage life) is a separate manufacturer‑specified number that can vary from a few years to advertised “double” competitors’ life [2] [4].
1. Certified filter types and regulatory labels that matter
Filters specifically marketed for tear gas are typically labeled as riot control agent (RCA) or CBRN filters and carry regulatory marks: in the U.S., NIOSH certification under 42 CFR Part 84 is the relevant approval pathway cited for canister-style gas mask cartridges, while in Europe EN 14387 (and CE marking) applies to filters tested for removal of CS/CN vapors [5] [2]. Vendor and government guidance both stress that not all respirator cartridges are interchangeable—plain particulate or industrial dust cartridges do not offer reliable protection against chemical irritants like CS/CN unless they are explicitly rated for those agents [5] [6].
2. Concrete product examples cited in reporting
Publicized, certified examples include Honeywell Survivair tear gas (CN/CS) canisters sold as NIOSH‑approved for their Survivair full‑face systems, and the MIRA Safety P‑CAN police filter which is sold as meeting EN 14387:2004 + A1:2008 for CS/CN vapors and marketed toward law‑enforcement use [1] [2] [3]. Supplier literature and vendor blogs frequently list the agents tested (CS, CN, OC) and thread specifications (40mm Rd40×1/7″) to indicate compatibility with common masks [2] [3]. Government guidance, including NIOSH pages about CN, recommends use of NIOSH‑certified CBRN tight‑fitting APRs or PAPRs for higher concentrations or uncertain environments, underscoring that filter choice must match exposure level [6].
3. Distinguishing shelf life, service life, and “hours of protection” claims
Two separate time concepts recur in the sources: shelf life (how long an unused, sealed canister can be stored) and service life (how long it continues to filter in active exposure). Vendors advertise shelf lives—MIRA claims a longer shelf life than competitors and vacuum‑sealed canisters with dates—while independent writeups and user guides commonly state that many cartridges are certified to protect “at least eight hours” under specified test concentrations [2] [4]. That “eight hours” figure refers to standardized laboratory breakthrough testing at defined concentrations; in real incidents with high or variable concentrations, service life can be much shorter and is not guaranteed by shelf claims [4] [5].
4. Limits, caveats, and government safety guidance
Government and medical reviews emphasize limits: CN and CS are potent irritants producing immediate ocular and respiratory effects, and high concentrations or unknown contaminants require higher levels of respiratory protection (e.g., SCBA or certified CBRN APRs) rather than relying solely on air‑purifying canisters [7] [6]. Sources caution that vendor marketing can blur distinctions between storage life, laboratory testing, and real‑world performance; thus certification labels, the specific standard cited, and the context of expected exposure must be checked before assuming protection [5] [8].
5. Practical takeaway and reporting gaps
The evidence supports that NIOSH‑certified CN/CS canisters and EN‑certified RCA/CBRN filters (examples: Honeywell Survivair CN/CS canisters, MIRA P‑CAN) are the recognized certified options for CS and CN, and many cartridges reference an “at least eight hours” certified protection under test conditions while shelf life varies by manufacturer and model [1] [2] [4]. Reporting and vendor material together do not provide a single universal service‑life number because breakthrough depends on concentration, breathing rate, physical condition of the cartridge, and whether the cartridge is sealed and within its stated shelf life—NIOSH and product sheets should be consulted case‑by‑case for specific filters and deployments [5] [6] [8].