What federal agency is responsible for testing and certifying respirators for pesticide use?

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is the federal agency responsible for testing and certifying respirators for pesticide use. NIOSH evaluates respiratory protective devices to ensure they meet specific standards and can effectively protect users from hazardous substances, including pesticides. This certification process involves rigorous testing to assess the performance of respirators and their ability to filter out harmful chemicals effectively.

While other agencies play essential roles in public health and occupational safety, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which regulates pesticide safety and labeling, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which mandates the use of respiratory protection in workplaces with pesticide exposure, it is NIOSH that specifically focuses on the certification process of respiratory protective equipment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also plays a significant role in public health but is not directly involved in the certification of respirators. Thus, NIOSH stands out as the authoritative body for this specific purpose.