New York State Asbestos Investigator Practice Exam

Who must approve all respirators used by asbestos workers?

1. OSHA

2. NIOSH

3. CDC

4. EPA

The correct answer is: NIOSH

NIOSH, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, is the organization responsible for approving respirators that are used in various industries, including the asbestos industry. NIOSH conducts rigorous testing to ensure that respirators meet specific safety standards and are effective at protecting workers from hazardous airborne contaminants, such as asbestos fibers. Respirators need to be properly evaluated and certified to ensure they provide the necessary protection to workers who are exposed to asbestos during their tasks. The approval process includes assessments of the material's filtration capacity, fit testing, and usability under different conditions of exposure. While OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) sets regulations and guidelines for the use of respirators in the workplace to ensure safety and compliance, it is NIOSH that specifically handles the testing and approval of the respiratory protective devices themselves. The other organizations listed, such as CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), have different roles in public health and environmental protection, but they do not focus on the approval of respirators for asbestos workers.