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.