Dreamy Doll wrote:but umm... if you just want it to protect you from "everything" (well, MOSTLY everything, i mean, within reason -- assuming you don't work for the CDC or handle nuclear stuff etc) what respirator & filter(s) would you get? is there any one combination that works for "everything"; organic/inorganic/dirt/dust/paint/solvents/caustic fumes/...
There is no one cartridge/set up, short of supplied air, that will protect you from everything. There are a few manufacturers that make combination cartridges or cartridges that "stack", but even those leave some things out. For normal home use you should stick with and
organic vapor cartridge and a P100 prefilter. The P100 prefilter blocks particles (dust, fumes, mists) down to 3 micons with 99.97% efficiency and the OV cartridge will absorb gases and vapors as per the cartridge label. That will take care most things you encounter in the home environment. You could get one of the combination cartridges but they can get pricy and none of these cartridges last forever. All cartridges will "wear out", even when properly stored. If you need something more than the OV/P100 set up, such as an acid gas cartridge (chlorine, hydrogen chloride, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen fluoride and chlorine dioxide) you should probably be consulting a professional industrial hygienist and be fit tested and trained in proper use. Where I work, we get fit tested and trained annually.