I have a Russian GP-5 gas mask. Is it possible for asbestos to be in the mask... or just the filter?

The short answer is, ';who knows?';





Both the Russians and Chinese used asbestos in gas mask filters. Asbestos in filter use was common until the 60s and even in the 70s some pharmaceutical filters still used asbestos that was specially bonded to prevent shedding and pulmonary migration.





So, the question becomes how old is old? If they are from the 80s, they are probably OK. Earlier than that and I'd toss them.