With bioterrorism threats putting heightened emphasis on emergency preparedness plans, NIOSH has updated pages on its Web site giving information about two tools of front line defense: protective clothing and respirators.

Chemical protective clothing details (www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/chemprcloth.html) include:

• Recommendations for chemical protective clothing;
• How to evaluate the performance of chemical protective clothing;
• Interim recommendations for selecting and using protective clothing and respirators against biological agents;
• Evaluation of the Permea-Tec pads as new technology for the detection of chemical breakthrough;
• A guidance manual for hazardous waste site activities;
• NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards;
• Link to the skin exposures and effects topic page;
• Link to the occupational latex allergies topic page;
• OSHA Technical Manual, Section VIII: Chapter 1 - Chemical Protective Clothing.

Respiratory protection information (www.cdc.gov/niosh/respinfo.html) includes:

• Fact sheet for workers in secondary response and other supporting roles;
• Suggested respirator cleaning and sanitation procedures;
• TB respirator protection program in healthcare facilities - administrator's guide;
• Emergency response resources;
• NIOSH respirator user notices;
• Certified equipment list;
• NIOSH respirator decision logic;
• Medical aspects of wearing respirators;
• NIOSH Guide to the Selection and Use of Particulate Respirators Certified under 42 CFR 84;
• Current list of particulate respirators approved under 42 CFR part 84;
• NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards;
• Certification program support for respirator manufacturers;
• Technical summary: Respiratory protective devices, 42 CFR Part 84;
• Link to OSHA's respiratory protection Web site;
• Link to OSHA's respiratory protection standards - training and reference materials.