NIOSH Color Coding for Respirator Cartridges and Filters

In HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response), selecting the correct respirator cartridge or filter is crucial for protection against hazardous airborne contaminants. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has established a color-coding system for respirator cartridges and filters to indicate the type of protection they provide.

1. What are NIOSH Color Bands on Respirators?

The NIOSH color bands are used on air-purifying respirator (APR) cartridges and filters to visually identify the type of contaminants they are designed to protect against. Each color corresponds to a specific hazard class, such as organic vapors, acid gases, ammonia, or particulates.

Why the Color Bands Matter:

Ensures workers use the right cartridge/filter for the hazard.
Prevents accidental exposure to toxic gases or particulates.
Makes it easier to identify correct replacement cartridges.

2. NIOSH Color Codes for Respirator Cartridges & Filters

Color	Protection Against	Examples of Contaminants	Cartridge Type
Black	Organic Vapors	Benzene, toluene, xylene, paint fumes, pesticides	Organic Vapor (OV)
White	Acid Gases	Chlorine, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride	Acid Gas (AG)
Yellow	Organic Vapors & Acid Gases	Paint thinners, pesticides, chlorine, ammonia	Organic Vapor/Acid Gas (OV/AG)
Green	Ammonia & Methylamine	Ammonia, fertilizers, refrigeration chemicals	Ammonia/Methylamine (AM/MA)
Olive	Multiple Chemical Gases & Vapors	A combination of organic vapors, acid gases, ammonia, etc.	Multi-Gas/Vapor
Magenta (Pink)	HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) Filter	Asbestos, lead dust, silica, biohazards, radioactive materials	P100
Blue	Carbon Monoxide (CO)	Carbon monoxide (requires continuous monitoring)	CO (Carbon Monoxide)
Brown	Specific Industrial Gases	Hydrogen fluoride, certain chemical processing gases	HF (Hydrogen Fluoride)
Orange	Mercury Vapors & Chlorine Gas	Mercury vapor, chlorine	Mercury Vapor/Chlorine Gas (Hg/Cl)

3. Particulate Filters and Their Color Codes

In addition to gas/vapor cartridges, some respirators require particulate filters to protect against dusts, mists, fumes, and biological hazards.

Filter Type	NIOSH Rating	Protection Against
N95 (White or No Color Band)	95% efficient, Not resistant to oil	Dusts, biological agents (e.g., TB, flu)
R95 (White or No Color Band)	95% efficient, Somewhat resistant to oil	Dusts, mists, certain oil-based particulates
P95 (White or No Color Band)	95% efficient, Strongly resistant to oil	Oil-based & non-oil particulates
P100 (Magenta/Pink)	99.97% efficient, Strongly resistant to oil	Lead, asbestos, silica, biohazards, highly toxic particulates

4. Selecting the Right Cartridge for HAZWOPER Work

How to Choose the Right Filter/Cartridge:

Identify the Hazard
- Conduct air monitoring to determine if you are dealing with organic vapors, acid gases, particulates, or a combination.
Match the Hazard to the Correct NIOSH Color Band
- Example: If working with benzene or paint thinners, choose a black (Organic Vapor) cartridge.
Consider Particulate Exposure
- If dust or mist exposure is present, use a P100 filter (magenta) in combination with the gas cartridge.
Check NIOSH Approval & Expiration Dates
- Cartridges and filters degrade over time, so follow replacement schedules based on breakthrough times.
Fit Test & Seal Check
- Half-face and full-face respirators require an annual fit test and a seal check before each use.

5. HAZWOPER Applications & Examples

HAZWOPER Task	Common Hazards	Recommended Respirator & Filter
Chemical Spill Cleanup	Organic solvents (benzene, toluene), Acid gases	OV/AG cartridge (Yellow), P100 filter if particulates present
Pesticide Handling	Organic vapors, aerosols	Organic Vapor cartridge (Black) + P100 filter
Confined Space Entry	Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), Low oxygen	SCBA or Air-Supplied Respirator
Lead/Asbestos Removal	Lead dust, asbestos fibers	P100 filter (Magenta)
Ammonia Refrigeration Work	Ammonia gas	Ammonia cartridge (Green)

6. Key Takeaways

NIOSH color bands help workers quickly identify the right respirator cartridges for the hazard.
Combination cartridges (e.g., yellow for OV/AG) provide protection against multiple hazards.
P100 filters (Magenta) should be used for toxic dusts like lead and asbestos.
Cartridges have limited service life—follow replacement guidelines based on contaminant concentration and exposure duration.
Fit testing & seal checks are essential for proper protection.