Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently published the fact sheet Informing Workers of Counterfeit and Misrepresented Respirators. It provides employers and workers with information on counterfeit and misrepresented respirators as well as tips on how to tell if a respirator is approved by NIOSH.
The document shares that NIOSH is responsible for the testing and approval of respirators used in U.S. workplaces. 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 advertised level of protection.
NIOSH also provides tips 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
• Ensure the seller adheres to marketplace policies and provides contact information
• Review transaction history and customer feedback
• Beware of products that have decorative fabric or other decorative add-ons (e.g., sequins)
• Beware of claims that a product is approved for children (NIOSH has not approved respirators for children at this time)
• Beware of claims that a filter or cartridge can be used on a NIOSH Approved respirator
These are just a few of the many things to know about the use of respirators in the workplace. To learn more about this or industrial hygiene, infection control, indoor air quality, environmental, health, or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently published the fact sheet Informing Workers of Counterfeit and Misrepresented Respirators. It provides employers and workers with information on counterfeit and misrepresented respirators as well as tips on how to tell if a respirator is approved by NIOSH.
The document shares that NIOSH is responsible for the testing and approval of respirators used in U.S. workplaces. 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 advertised level of protection.
NIOSH also provides tips 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
• Ensure the seller adheres to marketplace policies and provides contact information
• Review transaction history and customer feedback
• Beware of products that have decorative fabric or other decorative add-ons (e.g., sequins)
• Beware of claims that a product is approved for children (NIOSH has not approved respirators for children at this time)
• Beware of claims that a filter or cartridge can be used on a NIOSH Approved respirator
These are just a few of the many things to know about the use of respirators in the workplace. To learn more about this or industrial hygiene, infection control, indoor air quality, environmental, health, or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
