Respirator cartridges and filters

Testing Requirements of Peroxidizable Compounds Tests for the Presence of Peroxides Characteristics of Chemical-Resistant Materials Selection of Protective Laboratory Garments Protective Clothing Levels Selection of Laboratory Gloves Selection of Respirator Cartridges and Filters Effects of Electrical Current on the Human Body Electrical Requirements of Common Laboratory Devices... 

Respirators are sometimes desirable or required when performing certain tasks in the chemical analysis laboratory. There is a standardized color code system used by all manufacturers for the specification and selection of the cartridges and filters that are used with respirators. The following table provides guidance in the selection of the proper cartridge using the color code. 

FIGURE 7.3.5.2 Examples of Reusable Respirators with Replaceable Cartridges and Filters. (3M, St. Paul, Minnesota.)... 

Air-purifying respirator A respirator that removes airborne contaminants, such as particulates, gases, vapors and fumes, from ambient air through filtration, absorption, adsorption, or chemical reactions on the media contained in the cartridge or filter. 

Dust/mist filtering respirator Dust/mist respirator, or respirator with dust/mist filtering cartridge, respirator with organic vapor-removing cartridge and pesticide prefilter, respirator with canister approved for pesticides, or air-sup-plying respirator... 

Dust/mist masks, prefilters, canisters, filtering and vapor-removing cartridges, and a few cartridge respirators are disposables. They cannot be cleaned, and they should be replaced often. 

Seal the entire respirator in a sturdy, airtight container, such as a zip-closable plastic bag. If you do not seal the respirator immediately after each use, the disposable parts will have to be replaced more often. Cartridges, canisters, prefilters, and filters will continue to collect impurities as long as they are exposed to the air. 

Air-purifying half-mask or mouthpiece respirator with chemical cartridge and appropriate filter... 

Any particulate filter respirator for dust and mist except single-use respirator or (2) Any particulate filter respirator or combination chemical cartridge and particulate filter respirator for coke oven... 

Use of respirators equipped with filter cartridges for removal of particulate or organic vapour cartridges or a combination of both should be a normal laboratory habit for all persons, including maintenance and emergency personnel, entering areas that have been contaminated. These should also be used in exceptional cases for people working with very volatile compounds or aerosols in front of hoods where turbulence may create a back draft of vapours or aerosols. 

Respiratory protection devices are rated as to the effectiveness of the protection provided. A typical protection factor for a full-face air purifying respirator, those with filter cartridges and no separate air supply is a factor of 100, impl3dng that the contaminant concentration inside the respirator is no more than 1/100th of the concentration in the ambient air 10 CFR 20 Appendix A contains a table of respiratory protection factors for different types of respiratory protection. As the degree of inhalation risk increases, the risk of skin contamination also increases. Therefore, half-face respirators, those without a covering for the eyes, are not commonly worn. In addition, some form of anti-contamination... 

For P-particles, aluminum foil will stop their penetration. Thus, a protective suit will prevent P-particles from reaching the skin, where they can burn and cause surface contamination. a-Particles can enter the lungs and cause the tissue to become electrically charged (ionized). Protection from a-particles can be obtained with the use of air-purifying respirators with proper cartridges to filter out radioactive particles. Neutrons are found around the core of a nuclear reactor and are absorbed by both water and the material in the control rods of the reactor. If a worker is not close to the core of the reactor, then no exposure can occur. 

The company maintains a respiratory protection schedule by job and working condition. This schedule is provided to each authorized and trained employee. The schedule provides the following information on job and working conditions work location, hazards present, type of respirator or SCBA required, type of filter or canister required, location of respirator or SCBA, and filter or cartridge change-out schedule. 

Respirator inspections include the following a check of respirator function, tightness of connections, and the condition of the various parts including, but not limited to, the face piece, head straps, valves, connecting tube, cartridges, canisters, and filters. A check of elastomeric parts for pliability and signs of deterioration must also be performed. 

B. Maintenance—Respirators that do not pass inspection must be replaced or repaired prior to use. Respirator repairs are limited to the changing of canisters, cartridges, cylinders, filters, head straps, and those items as recommended by the manufacturer. No attempt should be made to replace components or make adjustments, modifications, or repairs beyond the manufacturer s recommendations. 

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