Chemical cartridge

"Gas mask canister" redirects here. For the color-coding differences between canisters and cartridges (United States), see NIOSH air filtration rating § Chemical cartridge and canister classifications. For more information on gas masks, see Gas mask.
Chemical cartridge
Other name(s)chemical canister, cartridges and canisters of air-purifying respirators
Regulated byAmerican National Standards Institute, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Regulation42 CFR 84, ANSI Z88.7-2001, EN 14387
NIOSH scheduleTC-23C (not including canisters)

A respirator cartridge or gas mask canister is a type of filter that removes gases, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other vapors from the air through adsorption, absorption, or chemisorption. It is one of two basic types of filters used by air-purifying respirators. The other is a mechanical filter, which removes only particulates. Hybrid filters combine the two.

Workplace air that is polluted with fine particulate matter or noxious gases but that contains enough oxygen (in the US, this is ruled to be a concentration above 19.5%; in the Russian Federation, above 18%[citation needed]), can be rendered safe via air-purifying respirators. Cartridges are of different types, and must be chosen correctly and replaced on an appropriate schedule.[1][2]

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