Gas mask companies report soaaring sales to London commuters

London commuters are buying gas masks in increasing numbers and sales are expected to triple during military action against Iraq.

A trickle of inquiries has turned into a flood, say suppliers, and highly portable masks that can be fitted into a pocket or handbag are the best sellers.

Priced at about £100, they provide up to an hour's protection against a chemical or biological attack in a confined space. The intention is to give the owner enough time to reach a "safe area". Companies are also buying full gas masks, similar to those used in the field by troops, at £140 each, for their staff. Many parents are also buying smaller versions, called "escape hoods", for babies and children.

Edward Klinger, the chief executive of Ozonelink, a company in London, said that inquiries were running at about 300 a week, with fewer than 10 ending in sales, before the Iraq crisis. In recent weeks, that figure had increased to 5,000 inquiries and 100 sales, with peaks when tanks were deployed at Heathrow airport last month and when traces of the toxic agent ricin were found at a flat in Wood Green, north London, in January.

His company is forecasting a surge to 13,000 inquiries, and 300 sales, now that attacks on Baghdad have begun.

Most of the sales have been in London and the South-east and to individuals, rather than businesses. Mr Klinger said: "It's quite clear greater London is going to be more of a target than some village in Scotland. It makes sense people in the city or commuting into it are concerned."

Mr Klinger said that, on the day after the arson attack on the underground train network in Daegu, South Korea, which killed more than 120 passengers last month, the company received 1,375 calls.

He denied that his company, which started trading in October, was scaremongering by promoting extreme forms of protection against attacks. "I don't think that here in the UK we are doing enough to respond to the fear that the Government has installed in people," he said. "How many times have Tony Blair or Ken Livingstone warned people to be vigilant and aware? What do the warnings actually mean?"

In updated guidelines issued on Wednesday, the Government advised people to take "sensible precautions" against a potential terrorist attack, including storing torches, radios, bottled water and blankets. The advice was not a response to any specific information, the Home Office said.

New Cross Army Supplies, in Manchester, which is selling about 40 masks a week, said it had almost run out of stocks because of the demand. Frank Flanagan, its manager, said: "We are selling through the shop and through the internet, mainly to individuals. Once it hots up, there will be a lot more people coming in."

A shop in New York reported a 40-fold increase in gas mask sales after terrorist warnings last month.