Skip to content
Industrial Safety Equipment, PPE Guides & Reviews
Industrial Safety Equipment, PPE Guides & Reviews
Honeywell North N75004L Ammonia Cartridge — Methylamine, North Bayonet product photo
May 12, 2026 Steven Eaton

Honeywell North N75004L Review

WC Safety Editorial Verdict: 4.3/5

The Honeywell North N75004L earns a 4.3/5 as a correctly-scoped ammonia/methylamine gas-only cartridge: it is the right call when an industrial hygiene assessment confirms ammonia or methylamine as the only airborne gas hazard and formally excludes organic vapor, acid gas and particulate. Because it carries no organic vapor sorbent, no acid gas sorbent and no P100 media, it loses points only on breadth — step up to the honeywell north 75scp100l when particulate or acid gas co-exposure is possible, and confirm your facepiece in our respiratory protection complete guide. We assign an editorial score; WC Safety does not fabricate customer ratings.

Is the Honeywell North N75004L the Right Ammonia/Methylamine Gas-Only Cartridge for Your NH3 Exposure?

Published · Last updated

The Honeywell North N75004L is a NIOSH-approved ammonia and methylamine gas-only cartridge — no organic vapor coverage, no acid gas coverage, no P100 filter. It covers environments where ammonia or methylamine is confirmed as the only airborne gas hazard, and organic vapor, acid gas and particulate have been formally excluded by IH assessment. It is not a lighter version of the N75003L: the N75003L is an organic vapor + acid gas cartridge and carries no ammonia sorbent at all. The N75004L suits R-717 refrigeration maintenance and poultry facility work where ammonia is the only gas present.

Editorial Verdict — N75004L: 4.3/5
Correct for ammonia and methylamine environments where organic vapor, acid gas and particulate are formally excluded. If solvent vapor, acid gas or dust may also be present, step up to the multi-gas 75SCP100L (OV+AG+AM+P100) — not the N75003L, which is an organic vapor + acid gas cartridge and carries no ammonia sorbent.

Check Price on Amazon →   VIEW AT WC SAFETY →

Specifications

Feature Details
Model N75004L
OV Protection None — no organic vapor sorbent
Ammonia/Methylamine Yes
Acid Gas Protection None
Particle Protection None
NIOSH Approval Yes — 42 CFR Part 84

N75004L vs. N75003L: When to Choose Each

Hazard Profile Choose
Ammonia or methylamine only (organic vapor, acid gas and particulate excluded) N75004L
Organic vapor and/or acid gas, with no ammonia present N75003L
Ammonia plus organic vapor, acid gas or particulate 75SCP100L

Applications

  • Ammonia refrigeration maintenance (R-717) where ammonia is the only airborne hazard — no solvent vapor, acid gas or particulate co-exposure
  • Poultry and livestock facilities where ammonia off-gassing is the confirmed hazard and solvent vapor, acid gas and dust are excluded
  • Ammonia synthesis and transfer steps where organic vapor and acid gases are chemically excluded from the process

Compatible with all Honeywell North bayonet respirators including the North 5500 Series half-face, North 7600 and 5400 Series full-face respirators. Not compatible with 3M bayonet respirators — Honeywell North and 3M use different mounting systems.

Browse all Honeywell North respirator cartridges or see the full respirator cartridge and filter selection at WC Safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does N75004L protect against?

A: Ammonia and methylamine only. No organic vapor, acid gas or particulate protection.

Q: How does N75004L differ from N75003L?

A: They are different chemistries, not a smaller and a bigger version of the same thing. The N75004L is the ammonia/methylamine cartridge. The N75003L is the organic vapor + acid gas cartridge (HCl, HF, SO₂, Cl₂) and has no ammonia sorbent, so it is never a substitute where ammonia is present. If ammonia coexists with solvent vapor or acid gas, neither cartridge is sufficient — use the multi-gas 75SCP100L.

Q: Can I substitute an N75003L when the N75004L is out of stock?

A: No. The N75003L carries no ammonia or methylamine sorbent, so it gives no protection against the hazard the N75004L is bought for. The only North cartridge that covers ammonia as well as organic vapor and acid gas is the multi-gas 75SCP100L.

Q: Does N75004L protect against acid gases like HCl or SO₂?

A: No — the N75004L has no acid gas sorbent. For acid gas environments, use N75002L, N75003L, or 75SCP100L.

Q: Is N75004L appropriate for poultry processing?

A: Yes where ammonia is the only airborne gas hazard. If chlorine-based sanitizers are also used, the Cl₂ acid gas is not covered by the N75004L — and an acid gas cartridge would not cover the ammonia — so that combination needs the multi-gas 75SCP100L.

Q: What respirators use N75004L?

A: Honeywell North bayonet respirators: 5500 half-face, 7600 full-face, 5400 full-face.

Q: Is N75004L NIOSH-approved?

A: Yes — 42 CFR Part 84 for ammonia and methylamine.

Q: How do I know when to replace N75004L cartridges?

A: Replace on ammonia odor detection or per written change schedule. OSHA requires documented change schedules.

Q: Where can I buy the N75004L?

A: At WC Safety. See all North cartridges.

OSHA 1910.134 Cartridge Change Schedule Requirements

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134(d)(3)(iii)(B) requires that atmospheres immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH), oxygen-deficient atmospheres, and environments with gas or vapor cartridges must have a cartridge change schedule based on objective information. Specifically, the standard requires:

  • A written change schedule based on objective data — measured concentrations, published service life tables, or ESLI (end-of-service-life indicator) performance data
  • The change schedule must address the specific chemicals present, their concentrations, temperature, humidity, and work rate
  • Leave the area, then replace if the wearer detects any odor, taste, or irritation through the cartridge — leave the contaminated area immediately and investigate the cause before returning — breakthrough, a poor face seal and a failed component all present the same way. Warning properties are not a permitted basis for the change schedule under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134(d)(3)(iii)(B)
  • Cartridges must be replaced before being stored and reused — carbon that has partially adsorbed contaminants may release them during storage and re-entry
  • Written records of the change schedule must be made available to employees upon request

Failure to maintain a written cartridge change schedule is one of the most commonly cited OSHA violations in respiratory protection programs. If you are building or auditing a respiratory protection program, the OSHA Small Entity Compliance Guide for Respiratory Protection (OSHA 3384) provides a detailed walkthrough of change schedule requirements.

OSHA Assigned Protection Factors: Respirator Type Determines Protection Level

A critical and frequently misunderstood principle: the protection factor (APF) is determined by the respirator type, not the cartridge. The cartridge determines which chemicals are protected against; the facepiece type determines how much protection is provided relative to the permissible exposure limit (PEL).

Respirator Type OSHA APF (29 CFR 1910.134 App A)
Half-face air-purifying (e.g., North 5500 Series) APF 10 — protects up to 10× the PEL
Full-face air-purifying (e.g., North 7600/5400 Series) APF 50 — protects up to 50× the PEL
Powered air-purifying (PAPR), half-face APF 50
Powered air-purifying (PAPR), full-face/hood APF 1000

Example: if the OSHA PEL for a solvent is 100 ppm, a half-face respirator (APF 10) with the appropriate cartridge protects up to 1,000 ppm; a full-face (APF 50) protects up to 5,000 ppm. If your measured air concentration exceeds the APF × PEL product, you need a higher APF respirator or must implement engineering controls to reduce concentration.

Refrigeration Safety Standards and Ammonia Respirator Requirements

Industrial refrigeration using ammonia (R-717) is among the highest-consequence industrial processes for respiratory hazard. The N75004L is appropriate for routine maintenance, but the full safety framework includes:

  • ANSI/ASHRAE 15: Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems — requires emergency shutoff, ventilation, and appropriate personal protective equipment including respiratory protection for ammonia system work
  • ANSI/IIAR 2: Equipment, Design, and Installation of Closed-Circuit Ammonia Mechanical Refrigeration — specifies PPE and emergency equipment requirements for ammonia systems
  • OSHA 29 CFR 1910.119: Process Safety Management (PSM) applies to facilities with >10,000 lb of ammonia — includes requirements for emergency action plans, process hazard analysis, and incident investigation
  • EPA RMP (40 CFR Part 68): Risk Management Program applies to facilities with >10,000 lb of anhydrous ammonia — accidental release prevention and emergency response planning required

For routine maintenance where ammonia concentrations are controlled and measured, the N75004L on a North half-face respirator provides appropriate protection. For emergency response (major leak, system failure), SCBA is the required equipment — never respond to an unknown or large ammonia leak with a cartridge respirator.

Organic Vapor Co-Exposure in Ammonia Refrigeration Environments

Organic vapor co-exposure is the most frequently overlooked reason the N75004L is the wrong cartridge for a refrigeration job. It carries an ammonia/methylamine sorbent only and captures no organic vapor:

  • Refrigeration oils: R-717 systems use polyalkylene glycol (PAG) or alkyl benzene (AB) lubricating oils. These oils generate low-level organic vapors, particularly when equipment is hot or during oil service. The N75004L does not capture these vapors — where they are present, a cartridge with an organic vapor sorbent is required
  • Cleaning solvents: refrigeration system maintenance often involves using solvent-based cleaners (degreasers, contact cleaners). The N75004L provides no protection during these operations — use an organic vapor cartridge, or the multi-gas 75SCP100L where ammonia is present at the same time
  • Brazing and welding fumes: system repair involving brazing or welding generates OV from flux plus metal fume particles — for welding applications, the 75SCP100L with P100 is more appropriate

Selecting the Right Honeywell North Respirator for Your Cartridge

North bayonet cartridges work with three respirator product lines. Selecting the correct respirator determines your protection level:

  • North 5500 Series half-face: APF 10; available in S, M, L sizes; silicone facepiece; recommended for most industrial environments with exposures ≤10× PEL
  • North 7600 Series full-face: APF 50; panoramic lens; appropriate for IDLH environments below IDLH concentration when combined with correct cartridges; also provides eye protection
  • North 5400 Series full-face: APF 50; traditional lens design; often used in specialty industrial applications requiring specific optical characteristics

For all respirator-cartridge combinations, the facepiece must be NIOSH-approved as part of an approved assembly. Verify compatibility in the NIOSH NPPTL Certified Equipment List (CEL) before deploying a new combination in your respiratory protection program.

Additional Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the ammonia detector rating required before N75004L use?

A: Before entering an ammonia environment for maintenance, a direct-reading ammonia detector should confirm concentrations are below IDLH (300 ppm) and within APF limits for the respirator being used. Fixed detection systems and portable personal monitors are both used; ANSI/ASHRAE 15 specifies detector sensitivity and alarm setpoints for refrigeration spaces.

Q: Can the N75004L be used for poultry house litter inspection?

A: Poultry house litter inspection involves ammonia from decomposing manure plus organic dust from feathers, dander, and litter material. The N75004L covers ammonia gas but has no particle filtration — if organic dust is a concern (which it typically is in poultry houses), the 75SCP100L (OV+AG+AM+P100) is more appropriate for comprehensive protection.

Q: Is there a combination cartridge equivalent to N75004L but with P100?

A: The 7584P100L is the same ammonia/methylamine chemistry with a P100 filter added — it is the direct P100 equivalent of the N75004L. No North cartridge pairs ammonia with organic vapor alone; if you need organic vapor as well, the multi-gas 75SCP100L (OV+AG+AM+P100) is the option, and it adds acid gas coverage too.

Q: What is methylamine and why is it included in the N75004L approval?

A: Methylamine (CH₃NH₂) is the simplest organic amine, structurally similar to ammonia with one hydrogen replaced by a methyl group. It is found in fish processing, some chemical synthesis, and as a degradation product in various organic processes. The ammonia sorbent in the N75004L also captures methylamine. If trimethylamine or dimethylamine are present, verify the specific NIOSH approval language.

Q: Does N75004L provide any protection against hydrogen sulfide?

A: The N75004L has no NIOSH approval for H₂S. While some activated carbon sorbents adsorb limited amounts of H₂S, this cannot be relied upon for worker protection. In environments where ammonia and H₂S co-occur (manure storage, wastewater), the H₂S hazard must be addressed through dedicated monitoring and appropriate respiratory selection beyond the N75004L's capabilities.

Q: How should I set the N75004L change schedule?

A: Base it on the ammonia and methylamine exposure, since that is all the N75004L adsorbs: measured concentration, temperature, humidity and work rate. Organic vapor in the air does not shorten the ammonia service life — it passes straight through an N75004L uncaptured, which is a reason to change cartridge type rather than a variable in the schedule.

Browse and Compare on WC Safety

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.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Genuine NIOSH-approved (42 CFR Part 84) ammonia and methylamine gas-only protection in one cartridge
  • Lighter and lower breathing resistance than the multi-gas 75SCP100L when ammonia is the only confirmed hazard
  • Snaps onto the Honeywell North bayonet system shared by 5500 half-face and 7600/5400 full-face facepieces
  • Well-matched to confirmed R-717 ammonia refrigeration maintenance and poultry/livestock ammonia tasks
  • Sold as a paired set, so both bayonet ports on a North facepiece stay balanced
  • Clean, single-purpose sorbent stack with no particulate prefilter to clog or replace separately
Cons
  • No organic vapor and no acid gas sorbent — wrong choice anywhere solvent vapor, HCl, SO2, Cl2 or HF co-exposure is possible
  • No P100 filter, so it offers zero protection against dusts, mists, fumes or aerosols
  • Honeywell North bayonet only — will not fit 3M, Moldex or other brand facepieces
  • No end-of-service-life indicator (ESLI), so change-out must be driven by an OSHA schedule, not smell

Who It's For

Buy it if:

  • IH-assessed ammonia refrigeration (R-717) crews whose only confirmed airborne hazard is NH3 itself
  • Poultry and food-processing workers whose confirmed gas hazard is ammonia off-gassing alone
  • Honeywell North 5500, 7600 or 5400 facepiece users who need ammonia coverage without P100 weight
  • Safety managers who want a single-purpose cartridge covering ammonia and methylamine

Look elsewhere if:

  • Anyone with possible organic vapor or acid gas (chlorine sanitizer, SO2, HCl) co-exposure — choose the multi-gas 75SCP100L, the only North cartridge that adds those to ammonia coverage
  • Workers needing particulate protection against dust, mist or welding fume — this cartridge has no filter
  • Owners of 3M, Moldex or other non-North facepieces, since the bayonet mount is brand-specific

Common questions

Sources. Requirements referenced here come from OSHA 29 CFR 1910 and the NIOSH recommendations. Where a consensus standard governs, the ANSI document is named in the text.

Related reference

Related reading in this area: honeywell north 7583p100l vs 3m 60923: organic vapor, acid gas & p100, honeywell north n75002l vs 7582p100l: acid gas vs acid gas/p100 — when, honeywell north 7580p100 vs 75scp100l: p100 filter vs multi-gas, honeywell north n75001l vs n75002l: organic vapor vs acid gas, how to choose a respirator cartridge: complete selection guide, and organic vapor cartridge vs acid gas cartridge.

Why trust WC Safety

WC Safety is an independent, affiliate-supported review site. It is not a retailer: it holds no inventory, takes no orders, and earns only from qualifying purchases through clearly marked links — which never changes what a product is rated to do. Standards language is taken from the regulation text directly, and ratings are reported as the manufacturer publishes them. We run no laboratory and perform no testing of our own. Where published sources disagree, we say so and plan on the conservative figure rather than the flattering one.

Our methodology

Figures come from the regulation and the published specification, in that order. Derated numbers are calculated, not estimated. Nothing here is presented as a measured result, because we measure nothing.

Researched and written by Steven Eaton, editor of WC Safety. Steven holds no safety certification and does not test products; this page compares what manufacturers and regulators publish, with the gaps in that record marked. Last reviewed August 2026.

Affiliate disclosure: as an Amazon Associate, WC Safety earns from qualifying purchases. WC Safety is not a retailer and takes no orders — links go to the seller, and the price you pay is unchanged.

Filed in: ammonia, gas-only, honeywell north, methylamine, N75004L, NIOSH, organic vapor, product review, refrigeration, respirator cartridges
Previous article Toptes Pt520A Review

Leave a comment

* Required fields