Riot control mask partially developed by Army researchers

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUNDS, Md., Oct. 26 (UPI) -- A wrap-style respiratory mask for protection against riot control agents has partially been developed by U.S. Army researchers.

The soft material Integrated Respiratory and Eye Protective Scarf mask, developed by three researchers and the U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, can be quickly put on without removing any head gear first and is effective against tear gas and 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile, also known as CS, for as many as 140 minutes.

It still lacks an effective eye protection component that minimizes fogging for wearers of eyeglasses.

"We got as far as we could in the amount of time that we were given, and we're very happy with the progress that we've made," said Dan Barker, one of the system designers. "But we really would like to see this all the way through to a final system. Right now, we have IREPS without the 'E,' we need that 'E' to make this something that can truly make a difference to users."

Barker and his colleagues developed the mask under the research center's Internal Innovative Development of Employee Advanced Solutions Program. The program supports employee development proposals for a period of one year.

During that time, the researchers advanced their concepts and technologies but did not have enough time to fabricate prototype masks to test their eye protection ideas.

Contact is continuing with a a potential user of the mask but no information was given on any further development efforts.