Is a gas mask more effective than a cartridge respirator in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere?

A gas mask is not more effective than a cartridge respirator in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere because both types of respiratory protection are designed for specific conditions and limitations.

A gas mask typically filters out harmful particles and gases but relies on ambient air for breathing. In an oxygen-deficient atmosphere—where the concentration of oxygen is below safe levels—it cannot provide the necessary oxygen to support life, making it inadequate for this scenario. Similarly, a cartridge respirator, which also depends on external air while filtering out specific contaminants, is similarly ineffective in an environment with insufficient oxygen.

The critical factor to understand is that neither a gas mask nor a cartridge respirator can supply oxygen; they are both reliant on the surrounding atmosphere containing adequate oxygen content. Therefore, in oxygen-deficient situations, neither would provide the necessary respiratory protection, confirming that the answer to the question is accurate.