3M 6002 vs 60922: Acid Gas vs Acid Gas/P100 Cartridge (2026 Guide)

One Stops Acid Gas. The Other Stops Acid Gas and Particulate. That's the Whole Decision.

Reviewed by the WC Safety Editorial Team — Last updated: June 2026.

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Short answer: The difference between the 3M 6002 and 60922 is particulate protection. The 3M 6002 (vendor: 3M, SKU 6002) is an acid gas (AG) cartridge only — it stops chlorine, hydrogen chloride, sulfur dioxide and chlorine dioxide, but nothing solid or aerosolized. The 3M 60922 (vendor: 3M, SKU 60922) is an acid gas/P100 combination — the same acid gas protection plus a P100 filter for dust, acid mist and fume. So when people search "3M 6002 vs 60922" or "3M 60922 vs 6002," the real question is: does your acid environment also create particulate? If you face acid mist from a plating line, fume from acid-flux soldering, or dust from dry pool chemicals, the answer is yes — and you want the 60922. If your only hazard is acid gas, the 6002 is lighter and cheaper.

Safety-critical point: neither cartridge protects against organic solvent vapors. These are acid gas cartridges only. If your job mixes solvents with acid gas (common in coatings, degreasing and chemical plants), you need an OV/acid gas combination such as the 3M 6003 or the 60923 (OV/AG/P100) — not the 6002 or 60922. See our 6003 vs 6006 comparison if you are weighing multi-gas chemistry.

Quick Recommendations

If you just need the verdict, here is how the 3M acid gas lineup sorts out by buyer. All four use the same 3M bayonet connection and the same acid gas media; the differences are the added filters.

3M 6002 vs 60922 at a Glance

3M 6002 vs 60922: Cartridge Profiles Side by Side

Buyer's Guide: How These Cartridges Work and What Separates Them

Both cartridges deliver the same NIOSH-approved acid gas protection, and both clip onto a 3M facepiece with the same bayonet connection. The acid gas media is treated activated carbon that adsorbs and chemically neutralizes acidic gases — chlorine (Cl₂), hydrogen chloride (HCl), sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and chlorine dioxide (ClO₂), with hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen sulfide approved for escape. The 60922 adds one thing: a P100 particulate filter bonded to the cartridge, capturing at least 99.97% of oil and non-oil particulates. That single addition is the entire 3M 6002 vs 60922 decision.

The major difference comes down to the physical state of the hazard. Acid gas is a true gas — it passes through a P100 particulate filter untouched, which is why you need the carbon media. An acid mist or fume (a plating-tank aerosol, soldering-flux smoke, a metal fume) is a particulate, which passes straight through a bare gas cartridge untouched. Real industrial exposures often contain both at once, and that is exactly the gap the 60922 closes.

Compatibility considerations: both cartridges fit the 3M 6000, 6500/6500QL and 7500 series half masks and the 6000/FF-400 full facepieces by bayonet connection. They are not compatible with 3M Secure Click (800 series), which uses a different mount. And critically, neither is rated for organic vapor — a frequent and dangerous assumption we cover below.

Safety limitations: air-purifying cartridges may only be used in atmospheres that are not immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH), have at least 19.5% oxygen, and where the contaminant and its concentration are known. Acid gas cartridges are not a substitute for atmosphere monitoring in confined spaces or chlorine-release emergencies.

Does the 3M 6002 Protect Against Dust or Mist? (And Does the 60922 Have P100?)

This is the most important pair of questions, so to be unambiguous: the 6002 does not protect against dust, acid mist, fume or any particulate — it is acid gas only. The 60922 does, because it includes a P100 filter. If you need particulate protection from a 6002, you must add a separate prefilter (such as a 3M 5N11 or 5P71) and a 501 retainer over the cartridge; otherwise the particulate path is unfiltered. The 60922 removes that complexity by building P100 into the cartridge body. If you only need particulate protection — no gas — a plain filter like the 3M 2091 P100 or a 3M 7093 P100 cartridge is the cheaper route, and for light nuisance acid gas with particulate there is even the 3M 2096 P100 nuisance acid gas filter. Browse the full range in P100 respirator filters and cartridges.

3M 6002 vs 60922: Protection by Hazard

The fastest way to read the 3M 6002 vs 60922 decision is to map it to the hazards you actually face. A check means the cartridge protects against that hazard as supplied; a cross means it does not (on its own):

The pattern is consistent: anything that is purely acid gas, both cartridges cover; anything that adds a particulate (mist, dust or fume), only the 60922 covers; and organic vapor needs a different cartridge entirely. That is the whole 3M 60922 vs 6002 story in one table.

Which Cartridge Is Better for Plating, Pickling and Acid Mist?

The 60922, without question. Electroplating, anodizing, chrome plating and metal pickling release acid gas and a fine acid mist thrown off the bath surface — and that mist is particulate. You need acid gas and particulate protection at the same time, which is exactly what an acid gas/P100 cartridge provides. A bare 6002 filters the gas but lets the mist through, so it is not suitable for plating-line work on its own. Run the 60922 on a comfortable half mask from the 3M half mask range, or a full facepiece for splash and eye protection over the bath. For a hands-on look at the cartridge itself, read our 3M 60922 review.

Which Cartridge Is Better for Chlorine, SO₂ and Pool Chemicals?

Chlorine gas and water treatment: a chlorine gas leak or liquid chlorination releases gas with no particulate, so the 6002 is adequate — see our dedicated best respirator cartridge for chlorine guide. Dry pool chemicals: handling calcium hypochlorite granules or chlorine tablets creates dust as well as off-gassing, so the 60922's P100 is the safer pick. Sulfur dioxide and chlorine dioxide: both cartridges cover the gas; choose by whether a particulate is present. As a rule, any acid task that also throws off a dust, mist or fume is an acid gas/P100 job. For the wider picture, see our best respirator cartridge for acid gas buyer's guide and the organic vapor vs multi-gas cartridge explainer.

Compatibility & Service Life

Both cartridges are interchangeable on the hardware: they use the 3M bayonet connection and fit the 3M 6000 series, 6500/6500QL and 7500 series half masks, and 6000/FF-400 full facepieces. They are not compatible with 3M Secure Click (800 series). Being interchangeable on the mask does not make them equal in protection — never sub a 6002 in where particulate is present, and never sub either one in where organic vapor is present. For a primer on cross-compatibility, see are respirator cartridges universal?

On service life: acid gas cartridges do not last indefinitely. They must be swapped on a documented change schedule before gas breakthrough — and because acid gases have variable warning properties, you should not rely on smell or throat irritation as your signal. OSHA requires a change schedule for gas and vapor cartridges. The 60922's P100 element is additionally replaced when breathing gets harder. For the full method, read how long do respirator cartridges last, and if you are new to cartridge respirators start with the best half-face respirator guide.

Common Buying Mistakes

• Buying acid gas cartridges for solvent work. The 6002 and 60922 do not stop organic vapor. If you face solvents, you need the 6003, 60923, or a 6006 multi-gas cartridge.
• Choosing the 6002 for acid mist. A plating tank or pickling bath produces an aerosol the gas-only 6002 cannot stop — that is a 60922 job.
• Confusing a filter with a cartridge. A P100 filter (like the 2091) stops particulate only; an acid gas cartridge stops gas only. The 60922 is a combination that does both — do not assume one covers the other.
• Assuming all 3M cartridges fit your mask. The 6002 and 60922 are bayonet-mount and do not fit Secure Click (800 series) facepieces. Match the connection before you buy.
• Relying on smell to time replacement. Acid gas warning properties are unreliable; use a written change schedule, not your nose.
• Using an air-purifying cartridge in an IDLH or low-oxygen space. Cartridges only filter known contaminants in breathable air — chlorine-release emergencies and confined spaces require supplied air.

3M 6002 or 60922: Which Should You Buy?

Because the 60922 includes everything the 6002 does plus P100, the decision is simply "is there particulate in my air?"

Where to Buy

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Recommendation

• Best Overall — 3M 60922 (AG/P100): the safe default whenever any acid mist, dust or fume can be present. One cartridge, both hazards.
• Best Budget — 3M 6002 (AG only): the lightest, cheapest choice for pure acid gas with no particulate.
• Best Professional — 3M 60923 (OV/AG/P100): when solvents are in the mix alongside acid gas and particulate.
• Best Specialty — 3M 60926 (Multi-Gas/P100): broadest chemistry for mixed or changing exposures.

Verdict: When in doubt and any particulate is involved, the 60922 is the safe default; reserve the 6002 for genuinely gas-only work where its lower cost and weight win. Not sure which gases you face? Start with the 3M cartridge guide and a proper hazard assessment.

Related Cartridge & Acid Gas Guides

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Why Trust WC Safety

WC Safety is an independent safety-equipment resource. We do not accept manufacturer payment, sponsorship, or free samples in exchange for coverage. Our cartridge comparisons are built from NIOSH approval data, 3M technical data sheets and real application requirements, and every recommendation is mapped to the hazard — gas, particulate, or both — not to advertising spend.

Methodology: We compared the 3M 6002 and 60922 on cartridge type, acid gas and particulate protection, suitability by task (plating, pickling, chlorine, acid-flux fume), facepiece compatibility, change-schedule requirements and typical retail price. Specifications reflect 3M published data current as of June 2026; always confirm the NIOSH approval label, perform a hazard assessment, and follow your employer's written respiratory protection program. Respirator selection for hazardous atmospheres must be based on actual exposure levels.