Cartridge Service Life Rule of Thumb

On its page Respiratory Change Schedules, OSHA mentions that there is a "rule of thumb" that provides a rough estimation of cartridge service life. It is originally from Chapter 36 of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) publication "The Occupational Environment - Its Evaluation and Control." This "rule of thumb" is as follows:

• If the chemical's boiling point is greater than 70° C and the concentration is less than 200 ppm, the service life (with normal work rates) is eight hours.
• Service life is "inversely proportional to work rate."
• Reducing concentration by a factor of 10 in turn increases service life by a factor of 5.
• Humidity above 85% reduces service life by 50%.
• OSHA warns that this should not be the only method of determining service life.

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