Abstract: A mouthheld filter is provided that includes a mouth piece, a valve tube structure and a filter housing. The mouthpiece has a curvilinear mouth shield and bite wings for insertion into a user's mouth and maintenance of a secure position therein. The valve tube structure has a pair of one-way filters to properly direct the air inhaled and exhaled by the user. The filter housing contains either one or both of a particulate filter material within the filter housing and a filter material around a surface of the filter housing. Air inhaled by the user passes through the filter housing and filter material, into the valve tube structure and mouthpiece, and into the user's lungs. Air exhaled by the user passes through the mouth piece, the valve tube structure and out at least one exhaust tube coupled to the valve tube structure and into the environment.