What is one essential component to check before using a respirator?

One essential component to check before using a respirator is the expiration date of the filters. Filters are crucial for trapping harmful particles, gases, and vapors, and they can lose their effectiveness over time. Expired filters may not provide adequate protection and could lead to exposure to hazardous substances. Ensuring that the filters are within their expiration date is vital for maintaining the respirator's reliability and ensuring the user's safety in environments where respiratory protection is necessary.

Other factors, such as the manufacturer's brand, color, or weight of the respirator, do not directly impact the respiratory protection effectiveness in the same critical manner that the filter's condition and expiration do. These other elements may be relevant to the overall comfort or style of the respirator but do not affect its ability to filter out dangerous substances.