Particulate filters do not protect against which hazards?

Particulate filters do not protect against which hazards?

• A. Aerosols
• B. Dust
• C. Gases or vapors
• D. Smoke

Answer: (C)

Particulate filters trap solid and liquid particles from the air but do not remove gases or vapors. They work by blocking or capturing particles as air passes through a dense filter media, which makes them effective against aerosols, dust, and the particulate portion of smoke. Gas and vapor molecules, however, pass through the filter media because the filter isn’t designed to adsorb or react with chemicals. To protect against gases or vapors, you’d need a respirator with gas/vapor cartridges or activated carbon (often in combination with a particulate filter). So the hazard not addressed by particulate filters is gases or vapors.

Particulate filters trap solid and liquid particles from the air but do not remove gases or vapors. They work by blocking or capturing particles as air passes through a dense filter media, which makes them effective against aerosols, dust, and the particulate portion of smoke. Gas and vapor molecules, however, pass through the filter media because the filter isn’t designed to adsorb or react with chemicals. To protect against gases or vapors, you’d need a respirator with gas/vapor cartridges or activated carbon (often in combination with a particulate filter). So the hazard not addressed by particulate filters is gases or vapors.