Air-purifying respirator cartridges absorb certain toxic vapors from the air through _____.

Air-purifying respirator cartridges absorb certain toxic vapors from the air through _____.

• A. Filtration through paper
• B. Activated carbon
• C. Zeolite
• D. Charcoal

Answer: (D)

Vapors are removed by adsorption on a carbon-based material with a very large surface area. This material is charcoal, specifically activated charcoal, which is processed to have countless tiny pores that trap vapor molecules as air passes through the cartridge. The result is that toxic vapors are held on the surface and do not reach the user. Filtration through paper would only catch particles, not vapors; zeolite can act as a molecular sieve in some contexts but isn’t the typical absorber for common respirator vapors. The term charcoal describes the carbon bed used for vapor adsorption, which is why that option is the best fit here.

Vapors are removed by adsorption on a carbon-based material with a very large surface area. This material is charcoal, specifically activated charcoal, which is processed to have countless tiny pores that trap vapor molecules as air passes through the cartridge. The result is that toxic vapors are held on the surface and do not reach the user. Filtration through paper would only catch particles, not vapors; zeolite can act as a molecular sieve in some contexts but isn’t the typical absorber for common respirator vapors. The term charcoal describes the carbon bed used for vapor adsorption, which is why that option is the best fit here.