Comprehensive Guide to Choosing Respirator Filters

Understanding the critical role of respirator filters in protecting against hazardous substances is essential for ensuring workplace safety. This  guide delves into different types of respirator filters, their applications, and standards, providing you with the knowledge to select the right filter based on your specific needs. 

FILTER TYPES AND STANDARDS:

Respirator filters are categorized based on the protection they offer against different hazards, including particles, gases, and vapors. European standards have set the criteria for these filters:

1.      EN 14387 - Focuses on anti-gas and combined filters

2.      EN 143        - Targets particle filters, introducing classifications like P1, P2, and P3 for dust resistance and reusability.

3.      EN 372 SX - Specializes in anti-gas filters against specific substance combinations, extending the coverage of EN 14387.

4.      EN 149 - Defines specifications for disposable masks, emphasizing single-use protection

AEROSOL FILTERS: WHEN AND HOW

Aerosol filters are crucial for environments with suspended solid or liquid particles. Their design aims to protect against these particles with negligible falling speeds.          

Application Scenarios: Aerosol filters are utilized when facing risks from solid particles and liquid aerosols, offering protection in diverse settings from construction sites to chemical handling facilities.

Identification Tips: Disposable Masks-Marked with “FFP” followed by a class (P1, P2, P3), directly on the mask. Filter Cartridges- Feature a white band around the cartridge, indicating the filter class.

Efficiency Classes

1.      Class P1 filters (low efficiency)        

               Stop at least 80% of this aerosol (i.e., penetration of less than 20%)

2.      Class P2 filters (medium efficiency)

               Stop at least 94% of this aerosol (i.e., penetration of less than 6%)

3.      Class P3 filters (high efficiency)       

              Stop at least 99.95% of this aerosol (i.e., penetration of less than 0.05%)

How to choose the efficiency class of an anti-aerosol filter?

P1 -   Annoying dusts, non-toxic fibrogenic dusts

P2 -   Toxic dust (wood, polyester resin, etc.), metal fumes (welding fumes), Oil Mist

P3 -   Very toxic dust (asbestos, arsenic, cadmium, etc.) lead, welding fumes, Oil Mist

GAS AND VAPOR FILTERS: SELECTION AND RECOGNITION

Protection against gases and vapors requires filters designed for specific substances, identifiable by unique markings.

Recognizing Gas Filters: Each filter type is marked with a letter and color band, indicating its protective capacity against certain gases or vapor families. 

Kind             Color                                 Area of ​​use

A                  Brown                                Organic gases and vapors with a boiling point above 65°C

E                  Yellow                                 Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and other acidic gases and vapors

K                  Green                                 Ammonia and organic amine derivatives

HgP3           Red + white                        Mercury vapors

NOP3          Blue + white                       Nitrogen oxides

AX               Brown                                 Low boiling point organic compounds (65°C)

SX               Purple                                   Specific compounds designated by the manufacturer

How to choose the efficiency class of a gas filter? There are three classes of gas filters based on their trapping capacity

Class 1      The lowest capacity (cake)

Class 2      Average capacity (cartridge)

Class 3      Largest capacity (can)

How to read the marking on a gas filter? The filter is marked according to the type of gas and the efficiency class: A1, A2, A3, AB2 (or A2B2)… The following combinations can be found:

Following combinations can be found:

AB1 (also A1B1) (or 2 or 3)     -    Brown + gray     

Mixed filter against organic gases and vapors and class 1 (or 2 or 3) inorganic gases and vapors

BK1 (also B1K1) (or 2 or 3)     -     Gray + green           

Mixed filter against inorganic gases and vapors and against ammonia and class 1 (or 2 or 3) organic amine derivatives

AE1 (also A1E1) (or 2 or 3)     -     Brown + yellow       

Mixed filter against organic gases and vapors and sulfur dioxide and acid vapors

ABEK1 (also A1B1E1K1) (or 2 or 3)     -  Brown + gray + yellow + green

Mixed filter against organic, inorganic gases and vapors, sulfur dioxide, acids and against ammonia and class 1 (or 2 or 3) amine derivatives

COMBINED PROTECTION: For environments where protection against both aerosols and gases/vapors is necessary, combined filters offer a solution. These filters integrate multiple protective layers, catering to diverse workplace hazards. Many other combinations are possible depending on the suppliers.

AXP1 (or 2 or 3) Brown + white 

Combined filter against low boiling point organic gases and vapors and against class 1 (or 2 or 3) aerosols

AB1 (or 2 or 3) (also A1B1 or 2 or 3) P1 (or 2 or 3)  - Brown + gray + white              

Combined filter against class 1 (or 2 or 3) organic and inorganic gases and vapors and against class 1 (or 2 or 3) aerosols

Some examples of areas of application of gas filters 

Type A filtration              

Protection against organic vapors with a boiling point above 65° C (solvents and hydrocarbons): Acetates, Acids (acetic, acrylic), Acrylate (methyl ethyl), Alcohols, Benzene, Butanol, Butyl Glycol, Cresols, Dichloro (-ethane, – benzene, -toluene), Aromatic essences Ethanol, dichloroethyl, Ethyl glycol, Isopropanol, Kerosene, Methyls, Perchlorethylene, Phenols, (AB), (AK), Styrene, Turpentine, Trichlorethylene, Trichloroethane, Toluene, White spirit , Xylenes

AX type filtration            

Protection against organic vapors with a boiling point below 65° C: Methyl acetate, Acetone, Bromoethane, Butane, Chloroethane, Chloroform, Vinyl chloride, Dichloroethane, Dichloroethylene, Dichloromethane, Diethylamine, Dimethyl ether, Formate ethyl, Freons, Methanol, Methylbutane, Trichloromethane

Type B filtration

Protection against inorganic gases and vapors : Acids (hydrogen cyanide, nitric, hydrogen sulfide), Aminopropane, Bromine, Hydrogen bromide, Chlorine ( ), Cyanides, Chlorine dioxide, Fluorine, Formalin), Arsenic hydrogen, Isocyanates, Nitroglycerin, Sulfide carbon

Type E filtration

Protection against: Acids (hydrobromic, hydrochloric, hydrofluoric, formic), Sulfur dioxide, Sulfur dioxide, Hydrochloric gas

Type K filtration              

Protection against ammonia and certain amine derivatives: Aziridine, Butylamine, Diethylamine, Diisopropylamine, Dimethylamine, Dimethylhydrazine, Ethylamine, Ethylene imine, Hydrazine, Isopropylamine, Methylamine

MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE: 

Selecting the appropriate respirator filter involves understanding the specific hazards of your work environment and referring to safety data sheets for guidance. Whether dealing with aerosols, gases, or a combination of both, the right filter can significantly impact your safety and health.

CONCLUSION: 

The choice of respirator filter plays a crucial role in workplace safety, protecting against a range of hazardous substances. By familiarizing yourself with the types of filters, their standards, and application scenarios, you can ensure complete respiratory protection in your professional environment. 

For those seeking proven and reliable options, AirGearPro respirator masks, such as the G-500 and G-750 models, are among the top choices for professionals. These masks, known for their effectiveness and comfort, come with replaceable filters, ensuring longevity and adaptability to various work environments. User safety being a priority, these products exemplify AirGearPro’s commitment to providing top-tier respiratory protection solutions.

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