title: Evaluation of a passive optical based end of service life indicator (ESLI) for organic vapor respirator cartridges.
abstract: A passive visual end of service life indicator (ESLI) for certain organic vapors has been attached to the inside wall of an organic vapor respirator cartridge. The opposite side of the ESLI touches activated carbon inside the cartridge. During use, organic vapors moving through the cartridge adsorb into both the carbon and the ESLI. The cartridge body is clear so that when vapor concentrations meet a certain threshold, the user may observe the progressive development of an indicator bar down the side of the ESLI. The cartridge is deemed ready to change when any part of the indicator bar touches a marked end line. The performance of the ESLI was observed when the cartridge was tested against a variety of organic vapors, exposure concentrations above the minimum indication level, humidities, temperatures, flow rates, and mixtures. In all cases, the ESLI indicated end of service life with more than 10% cartridge service life remaining (which is a NIOSH test criteria). The results were also compared to mathematical predictions of cartridge service life.
authors.affiliation: a Personal Safety Division, 3M , St. Paul , Minnesota.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Checky
authors.affiliation: a Personal Safety Division, 3M , St. Paul , Minnesota.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Frankel
authors.affiliation: a Personal Safety Division, 3M , St. Paul , Minnesota.
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goddard
authors.affiliation: a Personal Safety Division, 3M , St. Paul , Minnesota.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: a Personal Safety Division, 3M , St. Paul , Minnesota.
authors.forename: J Christopher
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: a Personal Safety Division, 3M , St. Paul , Minnesota.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zelinsky
authors.affiliation: b Shakopee High School (Teachers Working in Science and Technology at 3M) , Shakopee , Minnesota.
authors.forename: Cassidy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Javner
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D002606:Charcoal; D005740:Gases; D006813:Humidity; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D005740:Gases; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; D002606:Charcoal
keywords: Cartridge; ESLI; indicator; organic vapor; respirator; service life