A filter cartridge capable of removing contaminants comprising an airborne organic vapor from a gas medium comprising; a sealed cartridge housing comprising: a gas inlet; filter media; and a gas outlet, wherein the filter media comprises a multi-layer construction comprising: a first sorbent layer configured to adsorb the airborne organic vapor; a second sorbent layer configured to adsorb the airborne organic vapor, wherein the second sorbent layer is closer in proximity to the gas outlet than the first sorbent layer, wherein the first sorbent layer includes a different sorbent material than the second sorbent layer, wherein the cross sectional thickness of the second sorbent layer is less than the cross sectional thickness of the first sorbent layer and/or the volume within the filter cartridge housing occupied by the second sorbent layer is less than the volume within the filter cartridge housing occupied by the first sorbent layer, and wherein the second sorbent layer has at least one of a higher adsorption capacity or a higher adsorption rate for the organic vapor than the first sorbent layer; and a sensing element adjacent to the first and second sorbent layers such that an indicating element of the sensing element is located at the interface between the first and second sorbent layers, wherein the indicating element is an element that upon exposure to the organic vapor undergoes a detectable change. a gas inlet; filter media; and a gas outlet, wherein the filter media comprises a multi-layer construction comprising: a first sorbent layer configured to adsorb the airborne organic vapor; a second sorbent layer configured to adsorb the airborne organic vapor, wherein the second sorbent layer is closer in proximity to the gas outlet than the first sorbent layer, wherein the first sorbent layer includes a different sorbent material than the second sorbent layer, wherein the cross sectional thickness of the second sorbent layer is less than the cross sectional thickness of the first sorbent layer and/or the volume within the filter cartridge housing occupied by the second sorbent layer is less than the volume within the filter cartridge housing occupied by the first sorbent layer, and wherein the second sorbent layer has at least one of a higher adsorption capacity or a higher adsorption rate for the organic vapor than the first sorbent layer; and a sensing element adjacent to the first and second sorbent layers such that an indicating element of the sensing element is located at the interface between the first and second sorbent layers, wherein the indicating element is an element that upon exposure to the organic vapor undergoes a detectable change. a first sorbent layer configured to adsorb the airborne organic vapor; a second sorbent layer configured to adsorb the airborne organic vapor, wherein the second sorbent layer is closer in proximity to the gas outlet than the first sorbent layer, wherein the first sorbent layer includes a different sorbent material than the second sorbent layer, wherein the cross sectional thickness of the second sorbent layer is less than the cross sectional thickness of the first sorbent layer and/or the volume within the filter cartridge housing occupied by the second sorbent layer is less than the volume within the filter cartridge housing occupied by the first sorbent layer, and wherein the second sorbent layer has at least one of a higher adsorption capacity or a higher adsorption rate for the organic vapor than the first sorbent layer; and a sensing element adjacent to the first and second sorbent layers such that an indicating element of the sensing element is located at the interface between the first and second sorbent layers, wherein the indicating element is an element that upon exposure to the organic vapor undergoes a detectable change.