

The filters that can last well beyond 25 years are practically ruined and useless if kept in a humid environment or if they have been wet and left to dry. The rubber that the gas masks are made of tends to dry and discolor if exposed to sunlight for a long time. The Israeli surplus gas masks that are currently on the market are mostly from the 1990's to early 2000's, beyond or getting close to their 20-25 year shelf life. Gas masks that have been taken out of government, military or other organizations' operational inventory have not been stored in the optimal conditions that they needed to be in and so THERE IS NO GUARANTEE AS TO THEIR EFFECTIVENESS. Surplus gas masks and filters have a certain shelf life provided that they have been stored in an environment that is according to the manufacturer's specifications in terms of temperature, humidity, exposure to sunlight and others.

As a novelty product, as part of a gas mask collection, for a costume or for any other leisure activity, the surplus gas masks are great, BUT NOT AGAINST A HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS BIOLOGICAL VIRUS WHICH REQUIRES OPERATIONAL GRADE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. Selling surplus gas masks, especially the Israeli civilian and M15 military models has been one of our most popular products for over three decades. The Corona virus COVID-19 pandemic in which we are currently in the midst of has led to a surge of requests to us for surplus Israeli gas masks and others.
