As safety and health professionals, we prioritize controlling hazards as effectively as possible. In many cases, personal protective equipment (PPE), including respiratory protection, is necessary to safeguard workers from airborne hazards. When required, respiratory protection plays a crucial role in workplace safety, helping to prevent exposure to dangerous contaminants across various industries.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has been instrumental in this effort, ensuring that only high-quality, effective respirators reach the market through a rigorous certification process. This evaluation includes testing for filtration efficiency, breathability, and quality assurance of manufacturing facilities — critical factors in producing reliable respiratory protective equipment.

Respirators that meet NIOSH's stringent testing standards receive an approval number and are added to the Certified Equipment List (CEL), ensuring they meet safety requirements and function effectively in hazardous environments.

Impacts of Eliminating NIOSH’s Respiratory Protection Approval Office

As part of a restructuring plan announced by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (ISHN, 4-1-25), NIOSH is facing significant layoffs, including the elimination of the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory. This decision will have severe consequences for both U.S. workers and the public, including:

• Increased Workplace Risks: Without standardized testing, low-quality or counterfeit respirators could enter the market, increasing the risk of exposure to harmful airborne substances. While alternative certification systems exist, the absence of NIOSH’s approval process will make it difficult for employers and consumers to distinguish between effective and ineffective respirators.
• Regulatory Challenges for Employers: OSHA regulations (29 CFR 1910.134(d)(1)(ii)) require employers to provide NIOSH-approved respirators. Without this certification process, employers will struggle to meet regulatory requirements and ensure their workers receive adequate respiratory protection.
• Loss of Consumer Confidence: NIOSH certification reassures consumers that respirators meet high safety and performance standards. Without this oversight, manufacturers may cut corners, leading to product defects, performance failures, and safety hazards. Individuals relying on respiratory protection for threats such as COVID-19, influenza, and RSV may unknowingly use ineffective equipment.

The Need to Preserve Respirator Certification

NIOSH’s respiratory protection approval process is a critical safeguard for both workers and the public. Eliminating this program will not only compromise the quality and reliability of respiratory protection but also introduce widespread health and regulatory challenges. Maintaining a rigorous respirator certification system is essential to ensuring continued access to safe, effective respiratory protection.