Industrial Hygiene Testing Services

During the first several years of the COVID pandemic, the Department of Homeland Security seized millions of counterfeit respirators. Sadly, these types of counterfeit products are still a health and safety concern today.

To address this issue, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published the fact sheet Informing Workers of Counterfeit and Misrepresented Respirators, earlier this year. It provides employers and workers with information on counterfeit respirators as well as tips on how to tell if a respirator is approved by NIOSH.

NIOSH also provides recommendations to consider when purchasing respirators. For example, users should always make sure they purchase respirators from reputable sources, and check for authorized distributors before buying respirators from third-party marketplaces or unfamiliar websites.

Specific NIOSH tips for evaluating third-party marketplaces include the following:

• Be skeptical of claims like “legitimate” and “genuine”
• Beware of products that highlight part numbers and that avoid using an approval holder’s name
• Check if the seller consistently offers the same products over time, not just trending items
• Monitor frequent price changes
• Beware of sellers advertising “unlimited stock” during shortages

“NIOSH is responsible for the testing and approval of respirators used in U.S. workplaces,” said Jody Thomason, Vice President of Products/Corporate Purchasing for EMSL Analytical, Inc. “The agency’s approval standards ensure that respirators meet the necessary safety and performance requirements. When respiratory protection is necessary in a workplace, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires the use of NIOSH Approved respirators. Counterfeit and misrepresented respirators have not been approved by NIOSH and may not provide the proper protection.”

To ensure workers are protected with the highest quality personal protective equipment (PPE), EMSL’s Products Division carries a wide range of respirators, filters, fit testing supplies, gloves, protective suits, and other tools from the industry’s top PPE manufacturers. These resources protect workers and help to keep employers in regulatory compliance.

EMSL also recently sponsored an educational video about NIOSH’s new fact sheet discussing respirators, which can be seen at: https://youtu.be/h3liWcj9V-o 

For access to personal protective equipment and other EHS resources, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675, or email info@EMSL.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOCs, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products, and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.