When should cartridges be changed on pesticide respirators?

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Cartridge life is finite. The filtration capacity of pesticide respirator cartridges wears out with use and exposure conditions, and breakthrough can occur even if you don’t notice any odor or symptoms. Because the exact point of failure varies with the pesticide and work environment, the safeguard is to change cartridges after the manufacturer’s specified service interval has elapsed. Odor or breathing difficulty are not reliable indicators of when to replace, since many pesticides have little or no odor and early breakthrough may occur without noticeable effects. A fixed yearly replacement isn’t appropriate either, as cartridge life depends on how often and under what conditions you’re using the respirator. Follow the manufacturer’s time interval, and replace promptly if you’ve exceeded it or suspect breakthrough.