Appropriate chemicals for carbon filters – Labconco Protector Work Stations 3930021 User Manual

Page 35

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Chapter 5: Appropriate Applications for Your Enclosure

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Saturation Level or Time – There is a limit to the amount of chemical that can be
adsorbed by activated carbon or neutralized by chemically-treated carbon. Once
the capacity of the carbon is reached, it is considered to be saturated and will
adsorb (or neutralize) no further material; the outlet concentration of the chemical
will equal the inlet concentration from that point until the filter is replaced. (Note
that the capacity of activated carbon is not a constant, but varies with the inlet
concentration). Labconco Product Specialists can determine the estimated
saturation time for a particular chemical.

IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health). An atmosphere that poses
an immediate hazard to life or produces immediate irreversible health effects.
IDLH concentrations should not be approached in the enclosure.

Appropriate Chemicals for Carbon Filters

Below is a general set of rules to determine appropriateness of chemical usage.

Selected organic chemicals considered to be occupational
carcinogens by NIOSH can be used in the filtered enclosure
with carbon filters under rigid restrictions
. See separate
discussion on next page on carcinogens for special instructions
.

Organics must have time weighted exposure limits (TWA) of 1 PPM or greater.

Chemicals must have a detectable odor at concentrations below the TWA for the
chemical.

Chemicals must be designated by NIOSH guidelines as acceptable for use with
chemical cartridge-type respirators (the exception is formaldehyde and
ammonia/amines, which used impregnated carbon). Chemicals not listed by
NIOSH in the Pocket Guide must be approved by Labconco Product Specialist (or
Engineering).

Inlet concentration must never exceed the IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life
and Health) concentrations.

Chemicals having a recommendation by NIOSH of at least “Escape GMFOV”
(Gas Mask Full-Face Respirator).

When evaporating a mixture of chemicals, the chemical having the lowest TWA
will be used to determine if the mixture meets the guidelines.

Call a Labconco Product Specialist at 1-800-821-5525 for assistance in
determining chemical appropriateness.

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