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User Information to Help Optimize Protection
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Index
What types of 3M
™
Filters
and Cartridges are there?
How do 3M
™
Particulate Filters work?
Why do I need to replace my
3M
™
Filters regularly?
When do I replace my
3M
™
Particulate Filters?
How do 3M
™
Gas & Vapor
Cartridges work?
When do I replace my 3M
™
Gas
& Vapor Cartridges?
Frequently Asked Questions
Respirator and Filter/Cartridge
Matrix
3M
™
Particulate Filters
3M
™
Gas & Vapor Cartridges
3M Help
2
3
3
4
4
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7-8
9-12
13-18
Back
This is your guide***
The purpose of this guide is to additional information to assist you
with 3M
™
Particulate Filters and 3M
™
Gas & Vapor Cartridges
that you use with your 3M
™
Half Facepiece or Full Facepiece
Reusable Respirators.
***This booklet is designed to be a guide only. For additional information to assist you with
3M Respiratory Products (e.g., choosing a 3M Respirator, Fit Testing, and when to change
your 3M
™
Particulate Filters and 3M
™
Gas & Vapor Cartridges) call 3M Technical Service
Helpline at 1-800-243-4630 or talk to your 3M PSD Sales Representative.
What types of 3M
™
Filters &
Cartridges are there?
3M
™
Particulate Filters:
Filters only aerosols (e.g., dust, mists,
fumes, smoke, mold, bacteria, etc).
Some filters also have nuisance-level
gas and vapor capabilities.
3M
™
Gas & Vapor Cartridges:
Filters only gases and vapors. There
are different kinds of cartridges
for different kinds of gases and vapors.
3M
™
Combination Cartridge/Filters:
Filters particles, gases and vapors. Different
combination particulate/cartridge filters are
used depending on the gas or vapor present
in the air.
2
How do 3M
™
Particulate
Filters work?
3M
™
Particulate Filters
Filters capture particles through the mechanisms of impaction,
interception and diffusion. Additionally, these filters are enhanced
with electrostatically charged fibers to help trap particulates within
the filter media.
As particulate filters load up with the contaminant, they typically
become more efficient; however, they also become harder to
breathe through.
NIOSH has nine classifications for particulate filters based on
minimum filtration efficiency and the type of aerosol (non-oil or
contains oil). The chart below shows the nine classifications.
Filter classifications, efficiencies, oil resistances and
challenge agents specified under 42 CFR part 84
42 CFR part 84
Minimum
Efficiency
95%
99%
99.97%
Oil Resistance Categories
N
Non-oil
Aerosols
N95
N99
N100
R
Includes oil
Aerosols*
R95
R99
R100
P
Includes oil
Aerosols**
P95
P99
P100
*May have a time use restriction on this filter series when oil aerosols are present.
**Use according to manufacture’s time use restrictions when oil aerosols are present.
Why do I need to replace my
3M
™
Filters regularly?
As particles are collected on the filter media, the respirator will
eventually become more difficult to breathe through comfortably.
3
When do I replace
my 3M
™
Particulate
Filters?
Replace 3M
™
Particulate Filters when:
• It becomes difficult to breathe comfortably
(this will vary from individual to individual).
3M
™
Half Facepiece Reusable
Respirator 6000 Series
6100, 6200, 6300
• The filter becomes dirty or physical damage occurs.
• For P series filters only when used in environments containing
oil aerosols:
• Dispose of P-Series filters after 40 hours of use or 30 days, whichever is first.
For guidance on filter replacement frequency,
visit 3M.com/filterchange.
How do 3M
™
Gas & Vapor
Cartridges work?
3M
™
Gas & Vapor Cartridges
These cartridges utilize sorbent material to filter the gas or vapor
molecules. Typically the sorbent is activated carbon. Different
chemical treatments may also be added to the surface of the
activated carbon to adsorb different types of gases or vapors. When
the cartridges reach their capacity, the gases or vapors start to come
through the cartridge to the user. This is called “breakthrough.”
NIOSH uses a classification system to identify the different types of
contaminants these treated carbon grains will capture.
Color Coding for 3M
™
Chemical Cartridges
6001
6002
6003
6004
6005
6006
6009
Organic Vapor
Acid Gases
Organic Vapor/Acid Gases
Ammonia/Methylamine
Formaldehyde/Organic Vapor
Multi-Gas/Vapor
Mercury Vapor/Chlorine Gas
Black
White
Yellow
Green
Olive/Black
Olive
Orange
4