Honeywell North 7580P100 vs 7581P100L: P100 Filter or OV/P100?
Reviewed by the WC Safety Editorial Team — Last updated: June 2026.
If you run a Honeywell North respirator and you are choosing between the 7580P100 and the 7581P100L, the question is not really which is "better" — it is whether your air contains organic vapor or only particulate. The 7580P100 is a P100 particulate filter: it stops dust, mist and fume but no gases. The 7581P100L is an organic vapor / P100 combination cartridge that adds solvent-vapor protection on top of the same P100 filtration. Pick the wrong one and you are either unprotected against vapor or paying for capability you do not need. This guide breaks the decision down by contaminant, application, North respirator compatibility and the limits of each — start with our Honeywell North cartridge guide if you want the full lineup.
Quick Answer
Choose the 7580P100 if your hazard is particulate only — dust, mist, fume, lead, silica, mold spores — and there is no gas or vapor present.
Choose the 7581P100L if you also face organic vapor — solvent and paint fumes — because it adds organic vapor protection to the same P100 particulate filter. It is the standard choice for spray painting on a North respirator.
Choose the 7581P100L if you also face organic vapor — solvent and paint fumes — because it adds organic vapor protection to the same P100 particulate filter. It is the standard choice for spray painting on a North respirator.
Best Choice Summary
Best for particulate-only work: the 7580P100 — lighter and lower cost, with no organic vapor capability you would not use. Best for solvent and paint work: the 7581P100L — one cartridge for vapor and mist. Best all-round if you switch between tasks: the 7581P100L, because it covers everything the 7580P100 does plus organic vapor. If your chemistry is broader than organic vapor, look past both to the 7583P100L (adds acid gas) or the 75SCP100L multi-contaminant cartridge.
7580P100 vs 7581P100L: Side by Side
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Comparison Table
| Feature | 7580P100 | 7581P100L |
|---|---|---|
| Type | P100 particulate filter | Organic vapor + P100 cartridge |
| Particulate (P100) | Yes | Yes |
| Organic vapor | No | Yes |
| Acid gas | No | No |
| Typical use | Dust, mist, lead, silica, mold | Spray painting, solvents + dust |
| Connection | North bayonet | North bayonet |
| Better alternative when… | Vapor present → 7581P100L | Acid gas → 7583P100L; multi-gas → 75SCP100L |
What Each Cartridge Protects Against
The 7580P100 is a particulate filter rated P100 — it captures at least 99.97% of oil and non-oil airborne particles. That covers dusts, mists, fumes, lead particulate, respirable silica and mold spores. What it does not do is stop any gas or vapor: solvent fumes, paint vapor, acid gas and ammonia all pass straight through a particulate filter.
The 7581P100L combines that same P100 particulate filter with an organic vapor sorbent. It is NIOSH-rated to protect against organic vapors — the solvent vapors found in paints, coatings, adhesives and degreasers — in addition to particulate. It does not, however, protect against acid gas, ammonia or formaldehyde; for those you move up the lineup. For a primer on the rating system, see how to choose a respirator cartridge.
Key Differences
There is really one difference that matters: the 7581P100L adds organic vapor protection; the 7580P100 does not. Both share the same P100 particulate performance and the same Honeywell North bayonet fit, so they mount on the same respirators and capture the same dusts. The 7581P100L is physically a little larger and costs more because of the sorbent bed. If you are comparing the 7580P100 against the wider combination range, the 7583P100L adds acid gas and the 75SCP100L covers a broader multi-contaminant range than the 7583P100L.
Which One Should You Choose?
Run a simple test against your hazard assessment. Is there organic vapor in the air? If no — you are sanding, grinding, doing demolition or handling dry dusts — the 7580P100 is the correct, economical choice. If yes — you are spraying paint, brushing solvent-based coatings, gluing or degreasing — you need the 7581P100L, because a particulate filter alone leaves you exposed to the vapor. When you are unsure whether a coating is solvent-based, default to the 7581P100L; the extra organic vapor protection is cheap insurance, while a particulate-only filter offers none against vapor.
Best Applications
7580P100 — best applications: drywall and concrete dust, grinding and cutting fume, lead-paint abatement particulate, silica work, mold remediation (spore capture), and general nuisance dust where no chemical vapor is present.
7581P100L — best applications: spray painting (automotive and industrial), solvent-based coating and adhesive work, parts cleaning and degreasing, and any dusty task that also carries solvent vapor. For a closer look at this cartridge, see the 7581P100L review; for the particulate filter, the 7580P100 review.
When Not to Use Each Option
Do not use the 7580P100 where any organic vapor, acid gas or other gas is present — it is particulate only and offers no gas protection. Do not use the 7581P100L where acid gas, ammonia, formaldehyde or other non-organic-vapor gases are the hazard — its sorbent is rated for organic vapor, not those chemistries. For acid gas, use the 7583P100L or gas-only N75002L; for ammonia, the N75004L. Neither filter should be used in oxygen-deficient atmospheres or where the contaminant or its concentration is unknown.
Compatibility with Honeywell North N-Series Respirators
Both the 7580P100 and 7581P100L use the Honeywell North bayonet connection and fit the North N-series cartridge respirators: the 5500 series half masks and 7700 series half masks, plus the 5400 series and 7600 series full facepieces. They are not interchangeable with 3M bayonet or 3M Secure Click respirators. Always confirm the NIOSH approval number on the package matches your facepiece and assembly.
Related Cartridge Alternatives
If neither is an exact fit, these North options sit nearby: the gas-only N75001L organic vapor cartridge (when you need vapor protection but no particulate), the 7583P100L (organic vapor, acid gas and P100), the broader 75SCP100L multi-contaminant cartridge, and the pancake-style 75FFP100 if you want a lower-profile P100 particulate filter. For a simple particulate prefilter, the 7506N95 is the entry-level option.
More Honeywell North Cartridge Guides
Build your full selection from these resources: the Honeywell North cartridge guide (the pillar for the whole North range), how to choose a respirator cartridge, and the full Honeywell North respirator cartridge collection. For the next step up from the 7581P100L, read our 7583P100L review and 75SCP100L review.
FAQ
Which is better, the Honeywell North 7580P100 or 7581P100L?
Neither is universally better — they protect against different hazards. The 7580P100 is a P100 particulate filter for dust, mist and fume only. The 7581P100L is an organic vapor / P100 combination cartridge that adds solvent-vapor protection. Choose the 7580P100 for particulate-only work and the 7581P100L when organic vapor (such as paint or solvent fumes) is also present.
Can I use the 7580P100 instead of the 7581P100L?
Only if there is no organic vapor in your air. The 7580P100 is particulate only and provides no protection against solvent or paint vapor. If you face organic vapor, you must use the 7581P100L (or another organic-vapor-rated cartridge); the 7580P100 is not a substitute.
Does the 7580P100 protect against paint fumes?
No. The 7580P100 is a P100 particulate filter — it captures paint mist (the particulate from spraying) but not the solvent vapor that produces paint fumes. For paint fumes you need organic vapor protection, which is what the 7581P100L provides.
Does the 7581P100L protect against paint fumes?
Yes. The 7581P100L is an organic vapor / P100 cartridge, so it captures both solvent vapor (paint fumes) and paint mist — the standard combination for spray painting on a Honeywell North respirator.
Do the 7580P100 and 7581P100L protect against mold?
Yes for the particulate. Mold spores are particulate, so both filters capture them at the P100 level (99.97%). If mold remediation also involves solvent-based products or strong odors, the 7581P100L's organic vapor layer adds protection the 7580P100 does not.
Do the 7580P100 and 7581P100L protect against silica?
Yes. Respirable crystalline silica is particulate, and P100 is the appropriate filter class for it within a compliant respiratory protection program. Both the 7580P100 and 7581P100L capture silica dust at P100; the 7581P100L simply adds organic vapor capability you may not need for dry silica work.
Does the 7580P100 protect against organic vapor?
No. The 7580P100 is particulate only and has no organic vapor protection. For organic vapor, use the 7581P100L or the gas-only N75001L organic vapor cartridge.
Do the 7580P100 and 7581P100L include P100 protection?
Yes. Both include a P100 particulate filter, capturing at least 99.97% of oil and non-oil particulate. The difference is that the 7581P100L adds organic vapor protection on top of the P100, while the 7580P100 is P100 only.
Which Honeywell North respirators do the 7580P100 and 7581P100L fit?
Both fit Honeywell North N-series cartridge respirators using the North bayonet connection — the 5500 and 7700 series half masks and the 5400 and 7600 series full facepieces. They are not compatible with 3M respirators.
Are the 7580P100 and 7581P100L reusable?
They are used on reusable Honeywell North respirators, but the cartridges and filters themselves are consumables that are replaced on a schedule. The respirator facepiece is reusable; the filter media is not indefinitely reusable.
How long do the 7580P100 and 7581P100L last?
There is no fixed hours rating. Replace the P100 element when breathing becomes difficult or it is damaged, soiled or wet. For the 7581P100L, also replace on a documented organic vapor change schedule before vapor breakthrough. Service life depends on concentration, humidity and workload.
When should the 7580P100 or 7581P100L be replaced?
Replace the particulate element when breathing resistance increases or the filter is damaged or contaminated. Replace the 7581P100L's organic vapor cartridge on your facility's change schedule, or sooner if you detect odor breakthrough. Always follow your written respiratory protection program.
Is the 7580P100 or 7581P100L better for professional or DIY use?
Both are professional-grade Honeywell North components. The 7580P100 suits dusty trades and remediation; the 7581P100L suits painting, coating and solvent work. DIY users running a North respirator can use either — the choice is driven by the hazard, not the user.
Does the 7580P100 protect against solvents?
No. Solvents produce organic vapor, which a P100 particulate filter does not stop. Use the 7581P100L organic vapor / P100 cartridge, or pair an organic vapor cartridge with a particulate prefilter.
Final Recommendation
For particulate-only work on a Honeywell North respirator, the 7580P100 is the right, cost-effective filter — there is no reason to pay for organic vapor capability you will not use. The moment solvent or paint vapor enters the picture, switch to the 7581P100L, which covers the same dusts plus the vapor. If your exposure is broader still, step up to the 7583P100L for acid gas or the 75SCP100L for multi-contaminant work. Confirm your selection against a documented exposure assessment and the Honeywell North cartridge guide.
Safety note: Cartridge and filter selection depends on the specific contaminant, its airborne concentration, the exposure level, the oxygen level in the atmosphere, and applicable OSHA and NIOSH requirements. This guide is for research and does not replace a workplace hazard assessment or your written respiratory protection program. Never use air-purifying respirators in oxygen-deficient or IDLH atmospheres.
Disclosures & editorial standards
WC Safety participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Outbound Amazon links are affiliate links. We accept no manufacturer payment, sponsorship, or product samples. This content is not medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Safety equipment selection is governed by applicable OSHA standards and your facility's safety program.
WC Safety participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Outbound Amazon links are affiliate links. We accept no manufacturer payment, sponsorship, or product samples. This content is not medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Safety equipment selection is governed by applicable OSHA standards and your facility's safety program.