The National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) is a research center within the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH, ) is the United States federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. NIOSH is part of the C ...
located in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, devoted to research on
personal protective equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury or infection. The hazards addressed by protective equipment include physical, e ...
(PPE). The NPPTL was created in 2001 at the request of the U.S.
Congress
A congress is a formal meeting of the representatives of different countries, constituent states, organizations, trade unions, political parties, or other groups. The term originated in Late Middle English to denote an encounter (meeting of ...
, in response to a recognized need for improved research in PPE and technologies.
It focuses on experimentation and recommendations for
respirator
A respirator is a device designed to protect the wearer from inhaling hazardous atmospheres including fumes, vapours, gases and particulate matter such as dusts and airborne pathogens such as viruses. There are two main categories of respi ...
masks, by ensuring a level of standard filter efficiency, and develops criteria for testing and developing PPE.
The laboratory conducts research and provides recommendations for other types of PPE, including protective clothing, gloves, eye protection, headwear, hearing protection, chemical sensors, and communication devices for safe deployment of emergency workers. It also maintains certification for
N95 respirators,
and hosts an annual education day for N95 education. Its emergency response research is part of a collaboration with the
National Fire Protection Association.
The NPPTL also maintains a searchable listing of equipment that it has certified.
In the 2010s, the NPPTL has focused on
pandemic influenza
An influenza pandemic is an epidemic of an influenza virus that spreads across a large region (either multiple continents or worldwide) and infects a large proportion of the population. There have been six major influenza epidemics in the las ...
preparedness,
CBRNE incidents
Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence (CBRN defence) are protective measures taken in situations in which chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear warfare (including terrorism) hazards may be present. CBRN defence consi ...
, miner PPE, and
nanotechnology.
See also
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Laboratory
A laboratory (; ; colloquially lab) is a facility that provides controlled conditions in which scientific or technological research, experiments, and measurement may be performed. Laboratory services are provided in a variety of settings: physic ...
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National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH, ) is the United States federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. NIOSH is part of the C ...
*
Occupational safety and health
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Personal protective equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury or infection. The hazards addressed by protective equipment include physical, e ...
*
Respirator
A respirator is a device designed to protect the wearer from inhaling hazardous atmospheres including fumes, vapours, gases and particulate matter such as dusts and airborne pathogens such as viruses. There are two main categories of respi ...
External links
The National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory- NPPTL homepage
- Searchable listing of Certified Equipment List
- Information on respirators
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory
Protective gear
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention