How Long Do Dust Mask Filters Last?

Investing in some RPE means you are already on the right path to ensuring your respiratory system is guarded against some of the many hazardous elements found throughout work sites and even in hobby environments. 

But how exactly do you look after the dust mask you have purchased to ensure that it lasts as long as possible and always gives dependable results? What initially seems an easy question can actually be quite a complicated topic to break down, but that is why we are here to help, ensuring you get the best results from any RPE you purchase from us.

In this quick article, we will cover some of the frequent questions that we are often asked about how to maintain, clean, and care for dust masks, respirators and their associated filters. What we will not cover is fold-flat and disposable masks, which are almost always single-use by design and should be disposed of after every use.  

How Do Dust Masks Work?

Before we discuss how to maintain them and how long they last, we need to understand how they function. When you drill down to the core component, all dust masks rely on an element of filtration to work effectively. For the sake of clarity and to keep this guide short, we will not focus on any mechanical parts such as valves, motors, straps, etc. 

The filtration element can be made of a specialist polypropylene or similar materials, which collects fine particles and droplets. Additionally, it can feature an activated carbon element that can remove chemical contaminants and even reduce odours. 

Both of these elements are adversely affected by moisture to varying degrees. They both also have a finite capacity for material that they can collect before they become saturated and cease to perform. 

Do Dust Mask Filters Expire? 

Yes, there are three key ways that a dust mask can expire; these are as follows;

• Shelf Life - An unopened mask in a sealed container will generally be good for five years (some, such as Force 8 Filters, are good for as long as 10 years) so long as it has been stored in appropriate conditions in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. All filters compliant with any of the following standard: EN 149, EN143 or EN14387 will have a date of manufacture on the packaging, allowing you to quickly confirm when the item was made and thus its ultimate shelf life.
• Opened Packet - As soon as the packaging seal is broken on any filter element, a clock starts ticking before most manufacturers consider the mask to be “expired” This is the case even if the mask or filter is unused during this time. In the case of JSP products, they recommend that a mask should not be used once 28 days have passed since the packaging was opened. To help monitor this, most manufacturers will include a space on the packaging where you can write the date you opened it.
• Through Use - Just like your vacuum cleaner at home, if you fill it full of material, eventually, the filter will block and stop working, reducing performance. 
  

How Often Should You Change Respirator Filters?

Assuming you are not letting them expire due to shelf life or having them subjected to the environment for 28 days (in the case of JSP products), then it comes down to the following factors;

• The Level Of Contamination In Your Working Environment - Going back to our vacuum cleaner analogy, if you were to vacuum a spotlessly clean room, it would take a very long time for the filters to become saturated with dust particles. Much in the same way, a mask used in an environment with little to no contamination will last longer than one used in a significantly dusty environment, such as those created when using a diamond brick saw when breaking through an extension.
• The Moisture Content Of The Environment - Water vapour and moisture have a detrimental impact on the performance of mask filter elements. Working in humid environments will also shorten the effective lifespan of the dust mask filters. The same can be said for any moisture exhaled in your breath. Carrying out strenuous work will also shorten the lifespan of the filters.

All of the above said, it is worth keeping in mind that RPE is the last line of defence, and measures such as dust suppression using water or extraction on the tool should be your first line of defence. Both of these measures will reduce the work your RPE has to do and increase the filter lifespan.

How Do You Know When Your Filters Need Replacing?

If you have filters that contain activated carbon, you should switch them out as soon as you notice that you can smell or taste anything that brand-new filters would normally filter out. This is a sign that the activated carbon is saturated and no longer performing its task effectively.

For any filter, if you notice breathing resistance is increasing or it takes extra effort, this is likely a sign that the filters are due for replacement. 

So, What Can Be Done To Prolong The Lifespan Of Your Dust Mask Filters?

Keep it clean. When not in use, your mask and filters should be kept in an airtight container. Something as simple as a zip-lock bag will slow the rate at which the filter elements absorb surrounding moisture and contaminants. 

Avoid sources of moisture where possible, and avoid direct contact with water at all times, especially with open filter elements such as those on fold-flat masks. Make sure you remove filters, if possible, when cleaning your mask. 

Can You Wash Respirator Filters?

No, you cannot clean the filter elements, as the particulate filters cling to contaminates by design. Cleaning them would involve force, which would damage the filters' ability to contain contamination, rendering them ineffective. 

You can clean other mask elements, such as the valves, face mask (without filters) and seals. This can be done on some (but not all) half-face and full-face respirators, so it is worth checking the manufacturer's guidelines. Cleaning these elements usually requires warm water and a mild detergent. If you work in an area where warm water is unavailable, most manufacturers have cleaning wipes designed to clean RPE and PPE. We will be adding a full follow-up article on how to clean a dust mask in the near future.

Important note: It is also worth noting that ‘knocking’ the filters to clear them out or blasting them out with compressed air can also be destructive to the filter elements. On top of this if you are doing this while not wearing your mask, you then leave yourself exposed to any contaminants released from the mask.

Key Points To Take Away;

• Filters should be replaced within 28 days, regardless of how much use they have had. 
• Fold-flat masks and single-use masks should be used once and once only. 
• If you start finding it harder to breathe, you should replace your filters.
• If you start noticing that the chemicals you are working with smell stronger than normal, you should replace your filters. 
• You cannot clean or recondition filters.
• When in doubt consult the manufacturer's guidelines.

Now that you know what to look for be sure to check the date of manufacture for your filters and check when you may have opened your mask. If you find that they are past their best, go straight to our dust mask filter collection or RPE page and grab a new mask or filter set to keep you safe while working.