I received a respirator for Christmas, an MSA Safety Works respirator for multi-purpose use.
It's supposed to be good for Paint fumes, pesticides, lead fumes, Ammonia, asbestos, toxic dusts, certain gases and odors. The complete description of what it's good for is at http://tech-geeks.org/tiny.php?url=2540

Seems like it should be good for epoxy, no?

What concerns me is it came in one of those clear plastic packages that hangs on a hook and is held together by a couple of plastic snaps. This is by no means an airtight package. The two filter cartridges were not in plastic bags inside the package. It was my understanding that the type of cartridges we want for epoxy should be stored in airtight bags when not in use.

Either these aren't the right type of cartridges, or they are carelessly packaged (I doubt it), or someone else had bought this respirator, tried it on, returned it, and didn't put the cartridges back in their storage bags.

I'd hate to use this thing thinking I'm protected when maybe the cartridges have been compromised by who knows how long an exposure to air.

I'd appreciate any insights, and have a Merry Christmas.