Expiration date for cartridge filters?

[Wloch248]

I am looking at picking up a few filters for my 3m 7503 half mask. I see a few different sellers on ebay selling expired OV/P100 cartridges. They are much cheaper that buying from other retailers online.

So is there an issue with using these if they only expired a few months ago?

Also I was able to "borrow" a few P100 HEPA filters from a friend which are a few years old. He doesn't use them much and over bought. I see less of an issue using these because they don't have any activated charcoal or anything other than filter material to "expire". They were still in the package and look great. Do any of you guys see an issue with using these?

Thanks
Nathan W

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Since it is a safety product, the Gov. makes them have an expiration date ( and the maker wants to sell you more). For our uses,which are usually just large to medium particles, an expired P100 filter is fine. If you are dealing with cyanide gas, I would check the dates,though.

 

[Patrickknives]

I use them at work and home and never knew they had a date, I dont see any reason as long as they have been dry, carbon should be fine I would want to know more about resins for speciltiy gasses before I would use a old one.

 

[Mahoney]

Carbon filters can adsorb vapors from the air if they are not sealed in the original package. This can reduce or use up their service life. If they are still in the factory sealed bags, a few months over the date should not be an issue. HEPA only filters should have nothing that can spoil, again assuming they are still factory sealed or at least stored in a dust free environment