3M Respirator Filters and Cartridges
| These products fit the 3M 6000 and 7500 series respirators, both full face and half mask styles. You can be assured that 3M respirator cartridges and filters are made to the highest standards and meet all applicable OSHA standards. Each has a specific application. Questions particular to your job may be emailed to us. Additional information about filters and cartridges may be found at the bottom of this page. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Respirator Filter Types First, the term 'Filter' means that this product, when attached to a Respirator, purifies the air by straining out particles as you breathe through it. We stock 3 common types, the P100 (HEPA), P95 and N95. In the case of P100, it is tested to filter out 99.9% of particles 0.3 microns or larger. This type is suitable for protection against cadmium, Lead Dust, Lead Fumes and Asbestos Dust. The P95 and N95 filter out 95% of particles 0.3 microns and larger. These are best suited for general dusts, such as silica, wood, cotton or when grinding concrete or metal (except cadmium plated). The letter at the front of the rating starts with either N or P. The "N" indicates a filter that is non-oil resistant. That is, the electrostatic properties of the filter media will be compromised by the presence of oil mist. So this type would be good for most types of general dust, as well as being a prefilter for paint and common pesticides that are not oil based. The "P" indicates an oil-proof filter. If oil aerosols are present, such as would be the case with oil based paints, this would be the filter to use. The filter efficiency, or its ability to catch and hold particles, actually increases with use. Think of the little holes or pathways being blocked by each new bit of dust captured. This is good to a point, after which the increased resistance to breathing starts to become a problem. As this occurs, it becomes time to change the filter for a fresh one. There is no hard and fast schedule for this. The life of the filter is dependent on what it has been exposed to. Lots of dust equals short life, less dust equals longer life. Respirator Cartridges Cartridges are different from filters, in that they contain activated charcoal. They are intended to ‘Absorb’ certain types of organic vapors and acid gases from the air as it is drawn through. So we say that they act more like a sponge, while a filter acts like a strainer. This has 2 important implications. First, a cartridge can only absorb so much over any given period of time. That is, there is a point at which the cartridge can be overwhelmed by the concentration of vapors. This can occur in poorly ventilated spaces with lots of solvent vapors, for instance. Second, like a sponge, the cartridge can only absorb so much in total. There comes a point when the capacity is expended, and unfiltered air will start to pass through. When you start to smell or taste the contaminant, it is time to change to a new set of cartridges. There is no definite time when this will happen, and it depends on what the cartridge has been exposed to. This does mean that the protection offered deteriorates over time, as opposed to a filter which does the opposite. Additionally, it is good practice to store your mask and cartridges outside of the contaminated area, or in a zip lock bag. The cartridges can minimally absorb stuff out of the air, potentially shortening their life. To ensure that these masks are providing the protection advertised, Fit Testing is recommended. A less than optimum fit will allow unfiltered air to bypass the filter media, taking the path of least resistance. |
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