National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL)
Updated June 25, 2020
For more information on COVID-19 and PPE, please visit:
Optimizing PPE
Optimizing the Supply of Respirators and Other PPE
Stockpiled N95 Respirators
Release of Stockpiled N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators Beyond the Manufacturer-Designated Shelf Life
Request a Respirator Assessment
NPPTL Respirator Assessment to Support the COVID-19 Response of Stockpiled, International, Decontaminated Respirators
Trending Resources
View recording of Factors to Consider when Planning to Purchase Respirators from Another Country, Including KN95 Respirators from China webinar.
NIOSH Science Blogs
- NEW! Considerations for Covering N95s to Extend Use
- The Physiological Burden of Prolonged PPE Use on Healthcare Workers during Long Shifts
- Understanding the Use of Imported Non-NIOSH-Approved Respirators
- Scientific studies have shown properly-fitted and worn N95 respirators provide greater protection than surgical masks
- Proper N95 Respirator Use for Respiratory Protection Preparedness
- The Need for Fit Testing During Emerging Infectious Disease Outbreaks
Infographics
Instructional and Fact Sheets
- Preparing Solutions for Qualitative Fit Testing from Available Chemicals
- How to Properly Put on or Take off a Disposable Respiratorpdf icon
- Filtering out Confusion: Fit Testingpdf icon
- Filtering out Confusion: User Seal Checkpdf icon
Videos
- Respirator Certification – As Vital as the Air We Breatheexternal icon
- What it Means to be NIOSH-Approved: A look into N95 Certification Testingexternal icon
- Donning, Doffing, and User Seal Checks
Other Resources
Respirator Information
Respiratory Resources for Healthcare Professionals
- Reusable Elastomeric Respirators in Health Care: Considerations for Routine and Surge Useexternal icon
- Healthcare Respiratory Protection Resources Web Page
- Healthcare Workers’ Respiratory Protection Trainingexternal icon
- NIOSH Research Highlights Importance of Rigorous Standards for Gowns Used to Protect Healthcare Workers
- Preparedness through Daily Practice: The Myths of Respiratory Protection in Healthcare
- Respiratory Protection Education & Resources Webkitexternal icon
- Implementing Hospital Respiratory Protection Programs: Strategies from the Fieldexternal icon
- Hospital Respiratory Protection Program Toolkit
News
- View recording of Factors to Consider when Planning to Purchase Respirators from Another Country, Including KN95 Respirators from China webinar.
- FDA Emergency Use Authorizations
FDA EAUs can be found at https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-legal-regulatory-and-policy-framework/emergency-use-authorization#2019-ncovexternal icon- NIOSH-Approved Disposable Filtering Facepiece Respirators for Use in Health Care Settings During Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- Imported, Non-NIOSH-Approved Disposable Filtering Facepiece Respirators
- CA-2020-1030 – Requirements and Responsibilities of Approval Holders and Assignees in NIOSH Approved Respirator Private Labeling and Private Packaging Arrangements
- CA-2020-1029 – Clarification about U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) Applicable to Existing NIOSH Respirator Approval Holders
- CA 2020-1028 – Information regarding damaged or degraded head straps on previously stockpiled NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece respirators
- CA 2020-1027 – Effective Immediately – In response to COVID-19 – NIOSH is accepting and prioritizing particulate filtering respirator approval applications submitted by existing approval holders and new domestic manufacturers/applicants. Supersedes NIOSH CA 2020-1024
Personal Protective Technology
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Page last reviewed: June 25, 2020
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health