Additional Resources

This page provides links to a variety of resources, such as documents, web pages, and online tools, related to respiratory protection. Most have been created by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), an Agency under CDC that conducts research and provides recommendations specifically for worker health and safety.

General

• NIOSH Publication: Preparedness through Daily Practice: The Myths of Respiratory Protection in Healthcare. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2016-109, (March 2016). NIOSH addresses common myths related to respiratory protection and provides information to reinforce respiratory protection program administrator responsibilities and HCW knowledge concerning the proper use of these devices so that they can be prepared for the next public health emergency and best protect themselves in daily practice.
• NIOSH Fact Sheet: Filtering out Confusion: Frequently Asked Questions about Respiratory Protection, Respirator Reuse and Extended Use. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2018-128, (2018).
• NIOSH/NPPTL Home page: Home page for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, which contains a variety of information and links related to respiratory protection and other personal protective equipment.

Fit Testing

• NIOSH/OSHA Instructions: Preparing Solutions for Qualitative Fit Testing from Available Chemicals. Provides instructions for how to prepare qualitative fit testing solutions when commercially available reagents are not available. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)/National Personal Protective Laboratory Technology (NPPTL), (June 16, 2020).
• NIOSH Fact Sheet: Filtering out Confusion: Frequently Asked Questions about Respiratory Protection, Fit Testing. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2018-129, (2018).
• NIOSH Fact Sheet: Filtering out Confusion: Frequently Asked Questions about Respiratory Protection, User Seal Check. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2018–130, (2018).
• NIOSH blog and infographic: To Beard or not to Beard? That’s a good Question!  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Blog, (2017). Provides information on the types of facial hair allowed and not allowed when wearing tight-fitting respirators.
• Video: Respirator Fit Testing Using Sweet and/or Bitter Solutions. Provides information on qualitative respirator fit testing.

Infectious Diseases

• OSHA Web page: Safety and Health Topics: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). Provides information and links related to COVID-19.
• OSHA Web page: Safety and Health Topics: Pandemic Influenza. Provides information and links related to pandemic influenza.
• OSHA Web page: Safety and Health Topics: Tuberculosis. Provides information and links related to tuberculosis.
• NIOSH Guidebook: TB Respiratory Protection Program in Health Care Facilities Administrator's Guide. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 99-143, (September 1999). Serves as a practical guide for those individuals responsible for initiating and running a tuberculosis respiratory protection program in health care facilities.

Spirometry

• OSHA Publication: Spirometry Testing in Occupational Health Programs - Best Practices for Healthcare Professionals. OSHA Publication 3637, (2013).
• OSHA-NIOSH InfoSheet: Maximize Your Spirometry Screening and Surveillance Resources. OSHA Publication 3415, (2011). Clarifies what spirometry is, when it is needed, and critical elements that employers can use to evaluate the quality of spirometry services provided to their workers.
• OSHA-NIOSH Worker Info: Protect Yourself Spirometry Breathing Test. OSHA Publication 3418, (2011). Explains to workers the importance of taking a spirometry test, what to do during the test, and their right to receive an explanation and copy of test results.