US issue gas mask questions

[Shadowsta13]

Kind of an odd question but does anyone one know when the US stopped using Asbestos in gas masks?

USN MKV Gas masks


This is a picture of the masks I bought awhile back and I was told they were made in 1957, but recently I noticed that the C1 cartriges are marked 12-55 which I assume means December of 1955.



The spare canisters are marked with marker listing 7-55 or July, 1955



Most of the information I found about the discontiue of Asbestos was during 1955 clearly showing why I am looking for a more exact answer.

[Pacman]

According to wikipedia at least 1956
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_mask

[Matt]

More importantly, most of these are not ANZI rated therefore not suitable for eye protection either... if you had planned on using them as such.

[Shadowsta13]

According to wikipedia at least 1956
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_mask

Thanks for the info. After reading through it appears that it may be refering to WWII-era gas masks which may have not be completely phased out, and or some post war masks that may have been designed to use the same filters as the WWII ones.

More importantly, most of these are not ANZI rated therefore not suitable for eye protection either... if you had planned on using them as such.

I did use one of them at a local game once but common sense told me to wears safety glasses underneath.