Business Week reports that, among widespread fears of bird flu pandemics and bioterrorism attacks, the demand for disposable respirator masks is increasing around the world. The United States, however, is seeing a decrease in mask production and a shortage of mask supplies because so many mask manufacturers are tied up in lawsuits related to asbestos. One company stopped manufacturing masks altogether because of the liability.

Gwilym McGrew, president and CEO of AllHeart.com, a medical supply distributor based in Camarillo, CA, says, ‘I'm not sure this pandemic will ever come, but if it does, the world will not have masks.’

‘When the first sparrow dies in the U.S. from bird flu, consumers are going to hoard these things like crazy’ says McGrew, who has already begun hoarding masks.