About
The following is a list of NIOSH resources to download or print and use to promote proper respiratory protection practices.
Fact sheets
This fact sheet provides information on counterfeit and misrepresented respirators.
Respirator selection/use info. to reduce healthcare personnel exposure to harmful contaminants.
Information for chimney sweeps about selecting and using respirators to reduce harmful exposures.
Helps construction companies understand the basics of respirator selection.
Informs workers about respiratory protection in construction.
Describes filtration efficiency testing and fit testing for filtering facepiece respirators.
Explains how to tell if your N95 respirator is NIOSH-approved.
Information for using atmosphere-supplying respirators (SARs, SCBAs, SARs/SCBAs).
Learn how air-purifying respirators work and how to identify the right one in different situations.
Frequently asked questions about respiratory protection and fit testing.
Frequently asked questions about respiratory protection and user seal check.
Keep Reading
NIOSH Numbered Publications: All Publications
Infographics
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](/niosh/media/images/2024/12/NPPTL_INFO_MilestonesinRP_2019.jpg)
Shows a timeline of significant milestones in over 100 years of respiratory protection.
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](/niosh/media/images/2025/12/How-to-Remove-Your-Gear-at-a-Fire-Incident-thumb.png)
Shows doffing sequence to remove personal protective equipment at a fire incident.
Types
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](/niosh/media/images/2024/12/NPPTL_INFO_WhatAreAPRs_2017.jpg)
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](/niosh/media/images/2024/12/NPPTL_INFO_WhatareAtomosphereSupplyingRespirators_2019.jpg)
Describes the types of atmosphere-supplying respirators.
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](/niosh/media/images/2024/12/NPPTL_INFO_TypesofRespiratoryProtection_2019.jpg)
Provides descriptions of different types of respiratory protection.
Selection
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](/niosh/media/images/2026/10/NPPTL_INFO_Required-Labeling-of-NIOSH-Approved-N95-FFR_Oct-2026-thumb.png)
Demonstrates markings that confirm a filtering facepiece respirator has NIOSH approval.
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](/niosh/media/images/2024/12/NPPTL_INFO_RespiratorFilterClasses_2018.jpg)
Describes filter classes of NIOSH Approved® particulate filtering respirators.
Explains the difference between a surgical mask and an N95 respirator.
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](/niosh/media/images/2024/12/NPPTL_INFO_UnderstandingtheDifference_2019.jpg)
Explains differences between a surgical mask, N95 FFR, and elastomeric half facepiece respirator.
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](/niosh/media/images/2024/12/ElastomericRespirators-508.jpg)
Learn about the various types of elastomeric respirators and their components.
PPE recommendations by job category
Use
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](/niosh/media/images/2025/06/HowToWearYourFFR.jpg)
Shows how to put on and take off an FFR correctly.
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](/niosh/media/images/2024/12/NPPTL_INFO_StepsUsingN95FFR_2014.jpg)
Learn key facts for using N95 FFRs.
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](/niosh/media/images/2025/06/KeyFactorsRequiedResp.jpg)
Describes the key factors required for a respirator to be effective.
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](/niosh/media/images/2024/12/NPPTL_INFO_FacialHairstylesandFFRs_2017.jpg)
Infographic on the types of facial hair that may be safely worn with an FFR.
Components of a Respiratory Protection Program
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](/niosh/media/images/2024/12/NPPTL_INFO_CompletedYourAnnualRespiratorTraining_2016.jpg)
Six questions to test your knowledge after completing your annual respirator training.
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](/niosh/media/images/2024/12/NPPTL_INFO_WhyAnnualFitTests_2016.jpg)
Explains the importance of performing an annual fit test for your respirator(s).
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](/niosh/media/images/2024/12/NPPTL_INFO_RespiratorFitTestRequirements_2015.jpg)
Provides information on who needs to get fitted and how to get fit tested for respirators.
Healthcare
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](/niosh/media/images/2024/12/NPPTL_INFO_RespiratorSelectioninHealthcare_2017.png)
Describes what to consider when selecting a respirator for use in a healthcare setting.
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](/niosh/media/images/2024/12/NPPTL_INFO_RespiratorUseInfectionControl_2015.jpg)
Discusses what respirator to wear in healthcare settings, when to wear it, and how to wear it.
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](/niosh/media/images/2025/06/n95-infographic-reach-ii.jpg)
Informs healthcare workers how to choose the correct respiratory protection and use it properly.
Safety and Health Advisories
This safety and health advisory educates fire departments on an issue with SCBA facepiece lenses.
Explains why and how to remove personal protective equipment from unresponsive firefighters.
Translated resources
- Informing Workers of Counterfeit and Misrepresented Respirators - Spanish
- Respiratory Protection Toolbox Talk - Spanish
- What are Air-Purifying Respirators? - Spanish
- NIOSH Respirator Filter Classes - Spanish Arabic Chinese Tagalog Vietnamese
- Understanding the Difference (surgical masks, N95 FFRs, and elastomerics) - Spanish Arabic Chinese Tagalog Vietnamese
- Understanding Your Elastomeric Respirator - Spanish Arabic Chinese Tagalog Vietnamese
- Three Key Factors Required for a Respirator to be Effective - Spanish Arabic Chinese Tagalog
- Facial Hairstyles and Filtering Facepiece Respirators - Spanish French
- You've just completed your Annual RESPIRATOR TRAINING... - Spanish
- Why are annual FIT TESTS required? - Spanish
- Respirator Fit Test Requirements - Spanish
- Consideration for Respirator Selection in Healthcare - Spanish
- Respirator Use and Infection Control in Healthcare - Spanish
Content Source
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
About This Page
Published: April 23, 2025
Updated: February 4, 2025
This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.
Reviewed: February 4, 2025
The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.
- N95 and NIOSH Approved are registered certification trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the United States and several other countries.