Storing and Preserving Respirators

[37Webbing]

This question appears from time to time, and every time the answer is the same. You can only postpone the inevitable, since rubber with time WILL harden and become brittle, as stated in her: Canadian Conservation Institute: Care of objects made from rubber and plastic

I know it is difficult to accept, especially for the collectors among us that have specialised in anti-gas equipment, as much of it is made of rubber / plastics.

In order to prolong the life of a e.g. a gas mask, it is important to keep it out of direct sunlight and control the humidity and temperature in the room. Clean it, and keep it away from "accelerators" - i.e. the fumes of other chemicals that accelerate the chemical process that will inevitably destroy the mask.