Search NIOSH | NIOSH Home | NIOSH Topics | Site Index | Databases and Information Resources | NIOSH Products | Contact Us |
NIOSH Programs > Personal Protective Technology > Emerging Issues
Personal Protective TechnologyInputs: Emerging IssuesThe top priorities of the program have focused around providing effective NIOSH-certified respiratory protection equipment for all workers. The four top priority research areas are identified here. CBRN ProtectionsThe terrorism threat has resulted in an increased emphasis on incorporating chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) protections into the respirator certification process and national protective clothing standards. Beginning in 1999, NIOSH, NPPTL, through establishing partnerships with other federal agencies (OSHA, DOD, FBI, NIJ, NIST, DHS), manufacturers (ISEA), and emergency response organizations (IAFF, IAFC, NFPA), lead a standards development effort for respirators used for protection against a full range of expected CBRN terrorist threats. The development effort has used a publicly visible process, including communication methods such as the Internet and special public meetings. Copies of the public meeting presentations, as well as concept papers that explain the evolution of the different standards and the standards themselves, are available through the NPPTL website. Public comment from the stakeholder community has been solicited by NIOSH and formally captured in a publicly accessible docket. The NIOSH standards development and respirator certification programs have led to an increase in the national inventory of CBRN capabilities to protect emergency response personnel against the respiratory hazards associated with a terrorist event. Neither industrial nor military respirators provided protection from the entire complement of potential CBRN agents. Under federal regulations, emergency responders are required to use NIOSH-certified respirators for respiratory protection as part of their respiratory protection program.
Pandemic Influenza PreparednessThe threat of pandemic influenza has resulted in an increased emphasis on pandemic influenza preparedness and the personal protective technologies necessary to sustain operations in the event of pandemic influenza. CDC estimates that in the event of a severe influenza pandemic, approximately 90 million N95 respirators would be needed by the healthcare sector for a 42-day outbreak. The projects associated with Pandemic Influenza Preparedness include the following:
Mine-Related ResearchRecent mine disasters and the importance of effective protections for all mine workers as emphasized by the Miner Act of 2006 have reemphasized the significance of effective emergency PPT for all mine workers.
NanotechnologyThe rapid growth of nanotechnology has increased the amount of engineered nanoparticles in the industrial workplace. To address concerns, the PPT Program has identified a priority to research and assess the efficiency of personal protective technologies against nanoparticles. The PPT-related nanotechnology initiatives are summarized here: |
NIOSH Program:Personal Protective Technology |
||||||
Page last updated: April 05, 2007
Page last reviewed: November 01, 2007 Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
|||||||