Using a respirator cartridge beyond its service life can endanger workers and lead to regulatory violations. 3M has launched a new line of organic vapor respirator cartridges with 3M™ Service Life Indicator technology, an end-of-service-life-indicator (ESLI) that, when used in appropriate environments, visually shows when users should change cartridges.

The 3M™ Service Life Indicator can be used to complement a company’s current respirator cartridge change schedule, and in some cases replace it. Workers simply peel back a removable sensor protector to view the indicator bar and, in appropriate environments, determine when to change the cartridge. The indicator can also help optimize cartridge change schedules across workers because it is designed to indicate service life based on individual exposure and breathing patterns.

“Using a respirator filter too long can lead to break-through of the hazard into the respirator,” said Alana Mitchell, Global Marketing Manager, Reusable Respirators, 3M. “In appropriate environments, the 3M™ Service Life Indicator can help protect workers from dangerous airborne organic vapors by helping remove the guesswork related to cartridge replacement, giving users the assurance that their respirator is delivering the protection they need.”

3M offers a comprehensive, diverse portfolio of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) solutions providing respiratory protection, hearing protection, fall protection, reflective materials for high-visibility apparel, protective clothing, protective eyewear, head and face protection, welding helmets, and other adjacent products and solutions, such as detection, monitoring equipment, and active communications equipment.

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