Reference

Every respirator cartridge carries a label that tells you what it protects against, whether it is certified, and when to discard it - if you can read it. This guide decodes the ANSI/ISEA 110 color bands, the OV, AG, and P100 designations, the NIOSH TC approval number, and the ESLI and expiration date markings clearly explained.

Choosing a respirator cartridge starts with one question - what is in the air - and ends with a NIOSH-approved cartridge matched to your mask and a change-out schedule. This guide maps contaminants to cartridge types across organic vapor, acid gas, ammonia, multi-gas, and P100, and clears up the 3M filter attachment rules.