3M Respirators Expiration Date & Shelf-life FAQs

Why is 3M adding shelf life information for the 3M™ Health Care Particulate Respirator and Surgical Masks* 1804/1804S, 1860/1860S, 1870, 1870+?

The addition of shelf life information to our 3M NIOSH-approved respirators is a way to communicate to our customers the storage conditions and potential longevity of our respirators. Traditionally the life cycle of these respirators commonly used in health care workplace applications, from date of manufacture to use by the customer, has been short in duration as they are disposable. However, with the increased attention to respirator stockpiling, many customers have requested information on storage conditions and shelf life. We hope that by adding this information to the respirator packaging it will encourage our customers to employ good practices such as appropriate long term storage, rotation of stock and inventory management. In the United States, per 29 CFR 1910.134, OSHA has required that respirators be stored in the original packaging and away from contaminated areas, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture and damaging chemicals. Canada’s CSA Standard Z94.4 has a similar requirement.

Models that are both NIOSH approved N95 filtering facepiece respirators and FDA cleared as a surgical mask. What 3M Health Care Particulate Respirator and Surgical Masks have a shelf life?

The 3M Health Care Particulate Respirator and Surgical Mask models 1804/1804S, 1860/1860S, 1870, 1870+ have an established 5 year shelf life when respirators are stored in their original packaging within climatic conditions ranging from -4 °F (-20 °C) to +86 °F (+30 °C) and not exceeding 80% RH.

Why does the packaging for some 3M Health Care respirators have shelf life information and other respirator packaging does not?

The transition to updated packaging/labeling in relation to the storage conditions and shelf life has been initiated. However, for a period of time, you may see product packaging in the market place with and without storage condition and shelf life information included/incorporated.

How is the respirator’s shelf life communicated?

The shelf life information is usually found on the side or bottom of the primary box. Storage conditions are included in the instructions for use (IFU). The shelf life for the health care NIOSH-approved respirators is in the form of a “use by” date such as “YYYY-MM-DD” (year-month-day) and should be located near the hourglass icon. This information is also located on the label of the shipper case or corrugated box. An explanation of the icons and additional information regarding shelf life and storage conditions can be found in the IFU provided with the respirator. Please refer to the respirator packaging as shelf life is specific to each model.

What happens if storage conditions are not met?

3M’s goal is to help our customers ensure that filtering facepiece respirators stored for extended periods of time will meet the performance requirements to which they were approved and function as intended. When establishing a shelf life, 3M takes into account the filter media as well as the component parts of the respirator such as the strap and any staples. Therefore, we are confident that the respirators will meet performance requirements when the identified conditions are met. However, when respirators are maintained outside of the established storage conditions, 3M cannot ensure that the respirators will meet performance requirements. In this event, many different kinds of changes can occur to the respirator including cosmetic changes and degradation of components such as headbands, nose foam and noseclips. Examples of cosmetic changes include discoloration of materials. Examples of degradation include crumbling of nose foam or breaking of headbands.

It is always critical that the respirator be inspected and a user seal check be conducted by the wearer per the IFU. If the person wearing the respirator cannot achieve a proper seal the respirator should not be used. How do we know when not to use the respirator?

First refer to the packaging for a “use by” date. 3M’s recommendation is that respirators be disposed of after the stated use by date. Always inspect the respirator and conduct a user seal check before use per the IFU. If the person wearing the respirator cannot achieve a proper seal, then the respirator should not be used. Even for respirators within the stated shelf life, the respirator should be disposed of immediately upon observation of damaged or missing parts. For those respirators that have established shelf life but which packaging is not yet marked with a “use by” date, 3M recommends they no longer be used if 5 years has passed since the date of manufacture.

If the respirator is not marked with shelf life information, how can I determine the age of the respirator?

For respirators that are not currently labeled with shelf life information, the date of manufacture can be determined from the label or printed information located on the primary box as well as the shipper case or corrugated box. For assistance in interpreting the date of manufacture, please call 3M Health Care Helpline at 1-800-228-3957 if in the U.S. In Canada call 1- 800-267-4414Release 5, February 2020. Other countries please contact your local 3M office.

Is it okay to exceed storage conditions and, if so, for how long?

It is recognized that recommended storage conditions may be exceeded for short periods of time during transportation. This has been accounted for in the shelf life determination. However, storage outside the recommended conditions should be avoided when possible

Should the respirator be disposed of after the shelf life has expired?

3M’s recommendation is that the respirator be disposed of after the stated use by date has expired.

Will 3M take back respirators that have reached the end of their stated shelf life?

No, 3M will not accept returns of respirators on the basis of shelf life.

Will all 3M respirators have the same shelf-life?

No, not all 3M respirators will have the same shelf life. In making shelf life determinations, 3M takes into account the filter media as well as the components of the respirator. Components vary from model to model.