What must respirators be approved for use by?

Respirators must be approved for use by NIOSH (the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) and MSHA (the Mine Safety and Health Administration). NIOSH is responsible for certifying respiratory protective equipment, ensuring that it meets specified performance standards under various conditions. This certification process includes stringent testing to confirm that respirators can effectively filter out hazardous substances or provide adequate oxygen supply.

MSHA applies to respirators used in mining environments, ensuring that the equipment is safe for use in potentially toxic or oxygen-deficient atmospheres commonly found in mining operations.

The other organizations mentioned, while they each play crucial roles in public health and safety regulations, do not specifically handle respirator approvals in the same context. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) deals with overall workplace safety standards, but it is NIOSH that evaluates and approves respiratory protective equipment.