Abstract
The effective service life of chemical respirator cartridges varies with the organic vapor absorbed on the charcoal. Life versus various compounds was determined by exposing chemical cartridges to vapors, some of which were of fairly high toxicity. An apparatus was assembeld to produce dynamic mixtures containing 1000-ppm concentrations of organic vapors. The effluent was continuously monitored to determine cartridge service life using hydrogen flame ionization detection. Service Life depends on the compound to which the cartridge is exposed. Breakthrough patterns for several compound classes may serve as a rough guide for untested compounds within a homologous series.