The life of the cartridge in a chemical respirator depends only on the concentration of the pesticide. True or False?

The statement is false because the life of the cartridge in a chemical respirator is influenced by several factors, not solely the concentration of the pesticide. While the concentration of the pesticide does play a role—as higher concentrations can saturate the cartridge materials more quickly—other critical factors also affect cartridge life.

These include the type of pesticide being used, the specific design and filtering capacity of the cartridge, environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, and the duration of exposure to the pesticide. Additionally, how well the respirator fits the user can also impact its effectiveness and the longevity of the cartridge, as a poor fit might allow for more air leakage and less efficient filtration.

Therefore, understanding that cartridge life is a multifaceted issue helps ensure that proper safety measures are adhered to when dealing with pesticides and that users regularly check and replace cartridges according to the manufacturer's guidelines and safe work practices.