Only respirators approved by which organization should be used?

Respirators approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are critical for ensuring proper respiratory protection in hazardous environments. NIOSH is the agency responsible for the testing and certification of respiratory protective devices, ensuring they meet specific safety and performance standards. When workers are handling hazardous materials, using only NIOSH-approved respirators is essential to safeguard their health and ensure they are adequately protected from airborne contaminants.

While other organizations such as OSHA, CDC, and EPA play roles in occupational health and environmental protection, they do not directly approve respirators. OSHA sets regulations and standards for workplace safety, including the use of respiratory protection, but it relies on NIOSH for the approval process. The CDC focuses on public health initiatives and epidemiological studies, and the EPA is involved in environmental protection and regulations relating to hazardous waste. Thus, NIOSH is the designated authority on respirator approval, making it crucial for compliance and safety in hazardous waste operations.