Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Activated Charcoal Mask Question?
Barry Irby
>I have been using a North half mask with Activated Charcoal filters for vapors. Its been great, can't even smell what I'm Working with. Do they "clear" between uses? How do I know when to replace the canisters?
Re: Activated Charcoal Mask Question?
JL
>They will not "clear" unless you actively do something - which you probably aren't equipped to do. Consider them disposable.
I am assuming you are placing the respirator (or the cartridges) in a plastic bag between uses.
As far as knowing when to replace? That depends upon use/storage. You can try with a specific "odorant" and see if you get breakthrough (something like oil of wintergreen, peppermint, etc.). I generally just assign them a "use" life. If you are exposing them to high concentrations of vapors, the use life is shorter (8 hours or less). If you are exposing them to low concentrations of vapors, the use life is longer (maybe 40 hours). Breakthrough is breakthrough though. When you get it, change the filters. That's why an odorant test is the most effective.
My $0.02.
Re: Activated Charcoal Mask Question?
Barry Irby
>Thanks JL. I am assuming they should be in a plastic bag between uses because they will be picking up "fumes" even when not in use, "charging" the charcoal and shortening their life. I have not been doing that. I will.
I have been wearing the mask in the shop as a general purpose mask. It came with charcoal filters and I have been using those. I bought dual purpose filters as replacements. Now it dawns on me that the life of these may be less, because they have less charcoal.
Might be time for a second mask. Thanks Again.
Re: Activated Charcoal Mask Question?
Larry Clinton in Frankfort, Indiana
>As was previously posted activated charcoal must be "re-activated" after absorbing solvents. The process requires high temperature - I am not sure what else is required. Where I used to work I designed a spray booth for air brushing automotive parts in the assembly area. I used particulate filters to catch the paint and then a charcoal filter (which held half a barrel of charcoal) to contain the odors. When any odor was detected outside the booth the charcoal in the charcoal filter was replaced. It could be sent back to the supplies for reclaiming for slightly less cost than new charcoal.